DUBAI - FDI calls for adding fluoride to tap water

FDI calls for adding fluoride to tap water
By Asma Ali Zain
28 October 2007
DUBAI — The local Scientific Committee of FDI (International Dental Federation) has urged the authorities to compulsorily include fluoride in tap water in the UAE.
During the closing ceremony of the FDI Annual Dental Congress 2007, Dr Tareq Khoury, Chairman, Scientific Committee, FDI Dubai 2007, said the water authorities in the UAE should look into this issue seriously and adopt a policy.
“This point has been presented as a recommendation to the FDI Scientific Committee and we want it done as per the World Health Organisation and American Dental Association recommendations,” he told Khaleej Times.
He also explained that inclusion of fluoride in tap water could reduce dental problems among the population in the UAE by 50-70 per cent.
“This will also be a cost-effective solution for the government because there will be less spending on dental and oral health,” he said.

“Worldwide, fluoride has been included in flour, salt, milk etc.., but a human’s need for it has best been met through water as everybody uses it,” he said. Dr Khoury explained that 1ppm (part per million) of fluoride was the optimal amount required by a human being. “In the UAE, the amount is ‘0’ in the tap water though some bottled water companies have included it in their products,” he said.

He also said that people from the hotter regions such as the GCC required a smaller amount of fluoride (.75ppm) since the water intake was greater compared to the people from colder regions (1.2ppm).