Canada - Fluoride debate continues

Parry Sound North Star
By Stephannie Johnson
PARRY SOUND - Residents of all ages from all walks of life filled Parry Sound council chambers to capacity - and then some - to debate the town's decision to keep its water fluoridated.Although a vast majority of those in attendance were against fluoride, a handful of local dentists also spoke in favour of keeping the chemical in the water.
Resident Andrea McIntyre, representing the group Parry Sounders for Progressive Water Management, spoke at length, asking those in attendance to stand if they were in support of the removal; nearly all those present got to their feet.
“We know that you have the well-being of us in mind and have based your decisions on information that fluoride is beneficial, but our research indicates that fluoride in our water is not the benefit that we have been lead to believe and is doing us more harm than good,” McIntyre said.
After each presentation in favour of the removal of fluoride, most of the audience gave a standing ovation in support.
Davidson Veighey, of Riverview Dental Care, with support from local dentists, spoke in favour of keeping fluoride in the town’s water supply.
“There’s been a very vocal minority in the country and in town, trying to force the removal of fluoride from the water against the wishes of the majority of the people and against the recommendations of countless scientists, health providers and regulatory bodies,” said Veighey. “The Canadian Dental Association said, ‘the appropriate use of fluorides in prevention of dental decay is one of the most successful preventative health measures in the history of health care.’”