The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) is urging Canadians to know the facts about water fluoridation – an important health-care issue. Water fluoridation can benefit all residents in a community, regardless of age or socioeconomic status.
Studies and research by over 90 national and international scientific and medical organizations, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, Health Canada, the Canadian Public Health Association and the Canadian Medical Association, support the use of fluoride as a safe and effective measure to prevent tooth decay.
“Fluoridating water is one of the greatest preventative measures we have in the fight against dental decay,” said CDA President Dr. Ronald G. Smith, “There is clear evidence that fluoride helps natural tooth enamel remineralize and jurisdictions around the world support water fluoridation, as do we. It is important that everyone understands the facts and the benefits of fluoride.”
On January 7, 2011 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) made a joint announcement regarding proposed fluoride concentration level changes – lowering the recommended fluoride concentration levels in the U.S. water systems to 0.7ppm.
This U.S. news on fluoride may lead Canadian audiences to some confusion about fluoride safety. While in the U.S. the recommended fluoride concentration levels are being lowered, here in Canada, the optimal concentration of fluoride in drinking water to promote dental health was already determined to be 0.7 ppm.
Further, provincial and territorial governments regulate the quality of drinking water in their jurisdiction. The fluoridation of drinking water supplies is a decision that is made by each municipality, in collaboration with the appropriate provincial or territorial authority. This decision may also be taken in consultation with residents.
The Canadian Dental Association is the national voice for dentistry, dedicated to the advancement and leadership of a unified profession and to the promotion of optimal dental health, an essential component of general health. Visit our website at www.cda-adc.ca
