USA - Local Fluoridation Foes Vow to Fight Tooth and Nail
Malibu Surfside News
Local Fluoridation Foes Vow to Fight Tooth and Nail
• Commission Approves $20 Million Oral Health Plan that Would Include Malibu and BY ANNE SOBLE
A $20 million Oral Health Community Development Project developed by the Los Angeles County First 5 Commission that will allow communities to fluoridate their water supply to ostensibly prevent tooth decay, especially in young children during their first five years, has just been approved.
But critics of the plan question the science on which it’s based and say they will fight the forced imposition of additional use of the chemical in the local water supply.
A campaign against the increased fluoridation of local water has picked up speed after a flurry of letters to the editor expressed concern about the First 5 package.
The OHCD funds will supplement existing fluoridation efforts of the Metropolitan Water District in areas throughout Los Angeles County, including Malibu and Topanga. Project opponents from both communities are joining forces to ask local Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, who spearheaded the project, to reverse his action.
Critics are currently creating an umbrella group to address ways to convince Yaroslavsky and other county officials that the plan is not only unpopular but raises serious issues related to public health and scientific validity.
Some of these Malibu and Topanga groups and individuals have sent a letter to Yaroslavsky, described in detail on page 4, that they hope will begin a dialogue.
The case for increased fluoridation comes mainly from the federal Center for Disease Control, which contends “dental caries is still the most common preventable chronic disease in the U.S., and tooth decay is the number one reason that children miss school.”
Yaroslavsky said, “Today’s commission approval of my oral health initiative means that thousands of kids in Los Angeles County will grow up with healthier, stronger teeth. In addition, their families will avoid the inconvenience of unnecessary trips to the dentist for fillings, extractions and other painful and entirely avoidable procedures.”
“First 5 L.A.’s Commission believes oral health to be a critical part of the overall healthy growth and development of a child,” said Jonathan Fielding, Director of the Department of Public Health and Health Officer for Los Angeles County. “We are excited about this project, which is such an important investment in the well-being of our children,” he added.
The OHCD funding will be available to interested cities over the course of three years.
Eligible applicants have to demonstrate their capacity to execute and maintain fluoridation in their communities. First 5 L.A. monies will fund the infrastructure needed for water to be fluoridated.
First 5 L.A. is a child advocacy organization created by California voters that “invests tobacco tax revenues in programs that improve the lives of children prenatal to 5 in Los Angeles County. First 5 L.A. champions health, education and safety issues benefiting young children and their families.”
Local Fluoridation Foes Vow to Fight Tooth and Nail
• Commission Approves $20 Million Oral Health Plan that Would Include Malibu and BY ANNE SOBLE
A $20 million Oral Health Community Development Project developed by the Los Angeles County First 5 Commission that will allow communities to fluoridate their water supply to ostensibly prevent tooth decay, especially in young children during their first five years, has just been approved.
But critics of the plan question the science on which it’s based and say they will fight the forced imposition of additional use of the chemical in the local water supply.
A campaign against the increased fluoridation of local water has picked up speed after a flurry of letters to the editor expressed concern about the First 5 package.
The OHCD funds will supplement existing fluoridation efforts of the Metropolitan Water District in areas throughout Los Angeles County, including Malibu and Topanga. Project opponents from both communities are joining forces to ask local Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, who spearheaded the project, to reverse his action.
Critics are currently creating an umbrella group to address ways to convince Yaroslavsky and other county officials that the plan is not only unpopular but raises serious issues related to public health and scientific validity.
Some of these Malibu and Topanga groups and individuals have sent a letter to Yaroslavsky, described in detail on page 4, that they hope will begin a dialogue.
The case for increased fluoridation comes mainly from the federal Center for Disease Control, which contends “dental caries is still the most common preventable chronic disease in the U.S., and tooth decay is the number one reason that children miss school.”
Yaroslavsky said, “Today’s commission approval of my oral health initiative means that thousands of kids in Los Angeles County will grow up with healthier, stronger teeth. In addition, their families will avoid the inconvenience of unnecessary trips to the dentist for fillings, extractions and other painful and entirely avoidable procedures.”
“First 5 L.A.’s Commission believes oral health to be a critical part of the overall healthy growth and development of a child,” said Jonathan Fielding, Director of the Department of Public Health and Health Officer for Los Angeles County. “We are excited about this project, which is such an important investment in the well-being of our children,” he added.
The OHCD funding will be available to interested cities over the course of three years.
Eligible applicants have to demonstrate their capacity to execute and maintain fluoridation in their communities. First 5 L.A. monies will fund the infrastructure needed for water to be fluoridated.
First 5 L.A. is a child advocacy organization created by California voters that “invests tobacco tax revenues in programs that improve the lives of children prenatal to 5 in Los Angeles County. First 5 L.A. champions health, education and safety issues benefiting young children and their families.”
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