Australia - Fluoride enters South-East water supplies
Fluoride enters South-East water supplies
Andrew Wight | December 29, 2008 - 1:45PM
South-east Queensland kids will have more reason to be proud of their smiles after fluoridated water started flowing through household taps for the first time today.
Premier Anna Bligh said 50 per cent of Queensland children suffered from dental decay before the age of six, and the state's population had the worst dental health in the nation.
Fluoridated water is now flowing into almost 80 per cent of households in the region.
"The introduction of fluoride into the state's water system marks the biggest single advance in the oral health of Queenslanders," Ms Bligh said.
"Queensland has the unenviable title of having the worst dental health in Australia.
"We spend more on dental health than any other state, and yet our children and our population generally have the worst dental decay.
"This is the single most important preventative health initiative taken here in Queensland for decades."
Within four years 90 per cent of Queenslanders will be drinking fluoridated water, Ms Bligh said.She attempted to reassure those who remain opposed to fluoride.
"Cities like Sydney and Melbourne and Townsville have been using fluoride for up to five decades," Ms Bligh said.
"We have world experience now that demonstrates that this is not only safe, it is a very effective way of improving dental health."
Meanwhile, the Australian Dental Association (ADA) has welcomed the introduction of fluoride into most of south-east Queensland today, which was ahead of schedule.
A spokesman for the Department of Deputy Premier and Infrastructure and Planning, which is handling the roll-out said that from today fluoride would be introduced to all of the water treatments plant in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, as well as most on the Sunshine Coast.
"The introduction went smoothly and we're even a couple of days ahead of schedule," he said.
ADA Queensland Branch and Rockhampton dentist Greg Moore said: "The whole population of Queensland will benefit from the introduction.
"It will take a while to take effect, but in five years, we could see a 20-40 per cent reduction in tooth decay," he said.
The move, which will see a final concentration of 0.6 parts per million, will bring south-east Queensland into line with other states in Australia and with other towns and cities in Queensland.
"Townville has had it since 1964 and Moranbah and Dalby have naturally fluoridated water supplies," Mr Moore said.
"Removing decay is not the most rewarding part of dentistry. The most rewarding part is seeing someone grow up with good dental health.
"Fluoride is not the entire answer to dental care, but it provides benefits to growing teeth and protection for elderly people who may have damaged teeth.
"Soft drinks, energy drinks and sports drinks are still major contributors to dental disease."
Meanwhile, Queensland's Health Minister Stephen Robertson has acknowledged recent petitions against the introduction.
"Two petitions totalling almost 6,000 signatures have been received in the past month, and we have taken on board the concerns expressed in them," Mr Robertson said.
"However, the overwhelming weight of scientific evidence demonstrates that adding fluoride to the water supply is an effective and safe means of strengthening the oral health of the community.
"Water fluoridation is supported by the World Health Organisation, the National Health and Medical Council, the Public Health Association of Australia, the Australian Medical Association and the Australian Dental Association."
Andrew Wight | December 29, 2008 - 1:45PM
South-east Queensland kids will have more reason to be proud of their smiles after fluoridated water started flowing through household taps for the first time today.
Premier Anna Bligh said 50 per cent of Queensland children suffered from dental decay before the age of six, and the state's population had the worst dental health in the nation.
Fluoridated water is now flowing into almost 80 per cent of households in the region.
"The introduction of fluoride into the state's water system marks the biggest single advance in the oral health of Queenslanders," Ms Bligh said.
"Queensland has the unenviable title of having the worst dental health in Australia.
"We spend more on dental health than any other state, and yet our children and our population generally have the worst dental decay.
"This is the single most important preventative health initiative taken here in Queensland for decades."
Within four years 90 per cent of Queenslanders will be drinking fluoridated water, Ms Bligh said.She attempted to reassure those who remain opposed to fluoride.
"Cities like Sydney and Melbourne and Townsville have been using fluoride for up to five decades," Ms Bligh said.
"We have world experience now that demonstrates that this is not only safe, it is a very effective way of improving dental health."
Meanwhile, the Australian Dental Association (ADA) has welcomed the introduction of fluoride into most of south-east Queensland today, which was ahead of schedule.
A spokesman for the Department of Deputy Premier and Infrastructure and Planning, which is handling the roll-out said that from today fluoride would be introduced to all of the water treatments plant in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, as well as most on the Sunshine Coast.
"The introduction went smoothly and we're even a couple of days ahead of schedule," he said.
ADA Queensland Branch and Rockhampton dentist Greg Moore said: "The whole population of Queensland will benefit from the introduction.
"It will take a while to take effect, but in five years, we could see a 20-40 per cent reduction in tooth decay," he said.
The move, which will see a final concentration of 0.6 parts per million, will bring south-east Queensland into line with other states in Australia and with other towns and cities in Queensland.
"Townville has had it since 1964 and Moranbah and Dalby have naturally fluoridated water supplies," Mr Moore said.
"Removing decay is not the most rewarding part of dentistry. The most rewarding part is seeing someone grow up with good dental health.
"Fluoride is not the entire answer to dental care, but it provides benefits to growing teeth and protection for elderly people who may have damaged teeth.
"Soft drinks, energy drinks and sports drinks are still major contributors to dental disease."
Meanwhile, Queensland's Health Minister Stephen Robertson has acknowledged recent petitions against the introduction.
"Two petitions totalling almost 6,000 signatures have been received in the past month, and we have taken on board the concerns expressed in them," Mr Robertson said.
"However, the overwhelming weight of scientific evidence demonstrates that adding fluoride to the water supply is an effective and safe means of strengthening the oral health of the community.
"Water fluoridation is supported by the World Health Organisation, the National Health and Medical Council, the Public Health Association of Australia, the Australian Medical Association and the Australian Dental Association."
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