The Nova Scotia Dental Association (NSDA) launched an awareness campaign today (Friday, March 7), stressing the importance of community water fluoridation (CWF) and its willingness to work with municipalities to ensure its future.
The campaign comes after it was revealed in the fall that the Town of New Glasgow plans to end CWF in the coming months when its current supply runs out, while timelines to resume fluoridation at Halifax Water’s Lake Major Water Supply Plant are uncertain.
“Public health is our number one priority.” said Dr. Claire Karst, president of the Nova Scotia Dental Association. “The NSDA continues to vigorously support community water fluoridation as a necessary way to prevent tooth decay and promote oral health.”
“Fluoridation has been proven to reduce tooth decay by up to 30 percent and the cost to fluoridate water pays for itself. Every dollar invested in community water fluoridation saves anywhere from $5 to as much as $93 in dental treatment costs for patients. Municipalities and utilities that decide to remove CWF will have to be prepared for a spike in associated dental costs for citizens.”
Ten Nova Scotia municipalities currently provide fluoridated drinking water to most of their residents. The cost of ongoing maintenance and supply associated with CWF has been raised as a concern. However, Dr. Karst says the NSDA is willing to work with municipalities and utilities to provide guidance to those considering adding or maintaining fluoride in their potable water.
“Nova Scotia’s dental and health communities believe we can’t afford not to fluoridate,” said Dr. Karst. “We pledge to work with all Nova Scotia municipalities and residents to help secure the future of community water fluoridation in this province.”
Over the next two weeks, the NSDA will be posting information highlighting the importance of water fluoridation on its social media channels:
https://www.facebook.com/NovaScotiaDentalAssociation
https://www.instagram.com/nsdentalassociation
https://www.linkedin.com/company/nova-scotia-dental-association
Quick facts:
- Community water fluoridation is the process of adjusting the level of naturally occurring fluoride in a public drinking water supply to optimize dental benefits. For more than 50 years, communities across Canada have used CWF as a safe and effective means of preventing tooth decay.
- Fluoride is found naturally in soil, air, many foods, and both fresh and salt water. It helps strengthen teeth and prevent decay.
- The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) named community water fluoridation as one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century and, for more than 75 years, scientific evidence has pointed to water fluoridation as safe and effective.
- Tooth decay is the number one health condition among children and studies have shown a lack of fluoridation leads to a significant increase in cavities and the use of antibiotics.
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Media Contact:
David Salter
Communications Manager
Nova Scotia Dental Association
902-420-0088 ext. 2
communications.nsda@bellaliant.com