Dentists defend water fluoridation
08.08.2008 16:00
Health
- Source: cbc.ca
Adding fluoride to drinking water is an important step to promoting public health, Canadian dentists said Thursday. The Canadian Dental Association, Health Canada and dental groups in Ontario said they were standing up for water fluoridation, and urged people to get the facts. Their call follows the release of a report in April from a panel of experts who recommended lowering fluoride levels in drinking water to limit exposure in children and infants. "Dental disease is the No. 1 chronic disease among children and adolescents in North America," Health Canada's chief dental officer, Dr. Peter Cooney, said in a release. "The big advantage of water fluoridation is that it benefits all residents in a community, regardless of age, socioeconomic status, education or employment." The panel suggested Health Canada adopt a level of 0.7 mg/L as the optimal target for fluoride in drinking water. The lower level would balance the need for dental cavity protection with the risk of dental fluorosis, which leads to staining or pitting of the teeth if too much fluoride is ingested, they said. But community water fluoridation is the cornerstone of dental public health, and benefits people of all ages, the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario noted in Thursday's statement. Experts attending the International Association for Dental Research's meeting in Toronto last month also endorsed water fluoridation, calling it essential in preventative care. Story Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: SMLXL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACKRelatedInternal LinksFluoride levels should be lowered, panel tells Health CanadaIN DEPTH: Bottled waterDorval gets fluoride water backCBC Archives: Fluoride debateExternal LinksFluoride and Human Health, Health CanadaFindings and Recommendations of the Fluoride Expert Panel, Health Canada(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - links will open in new window) Health HeadlinesNicotine gene linked to addiction Whether smoking your first cigarette brings on a pleasurable buzz or a wave of nausea may depend on what type of nicotine-related gene you have.Scientists create stem cells for 10 disordersHarvard scientists say they have created stems cells for 10 genetic disorders, which will allow researchers to watch the diseases develop in a lab dish and could speed up efforts to find treatments.Peanut bans a sticky issuePeanut bans in schools often lead to a flurry of angry phone calls and letters to local newspapers, but for parents of allegic kids, they can be a life-saving move.Doctors reassure parents on risks of seizures with fever When a child is convulsing and has a fever, it may alarm parents, but they should be reassured that the risk of death is very rare, say Danish doctors who analyzed death rates for more than 1.6 million children with the condition and without it. N.B. court gives nod to Morgentaler's challengeAbortion provider Dr. Henry Morgentaler has the legal right to challenge the New Brunswick government's policy on abortion funding, a judge has ruled. Health FeaturesIN DEPTHPhthalatesAre chemicals that make plastic bendy a health hazard?AIDS RESEARCHLife expectancyBig jump in survival rates for those on HIV drugsIN DEPTHLyme diseaseTiny tick, big problemANOTHER VIEWDrugs and drivingNew law a 'positive step', analyst saysHEALTH & FITNESSPeter HadzipetrosBreaking up's not that hard to doHEALTHTrans fatsPeople who read this also read …
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