A ROW erupted yesterday over plans to tackle Scotland's appalling dental health by adding fluoride to water.

The proposal, contained in a consultation document to be launched this week by the Scottish Executive, immediately came under fire from opposition parties.

The SNP said the public were still "sceptical" about such a move and the Tories warned against any attempts at "mass medication".

Previous attempts at compulsory fluoridation in public water have been called off.

But Scotland's dental health is among the worst in Europe. In some deprived areas, 60 per cent of children are suffering from dental disease by the age of three.

Dentists annually remove more than 250,000 teeth and some youngsters have had all their teeth removed under general anaesthetic.

Five children have died in these operations since 1996.

The Executive insists the status quo is no longer an option.

But SNP shadow health minister Nicola Sturgeon warned: "There is strong evidence to show fluoridation can improve dental health but, equally, the public has huge fears about it."

Tory health spokesman Mary Scanlon said: "There is a problem with oral hygiene but we have to question whether mass medication is the right way to deal with it."

The Executive proposals will be launched tomorrow.

Last night, an executive spokesman said: "Fluoridation is a contentious issue and that is why the consultation document will be neutral."