Saskatchewan community fluoride status 2013

Developed by: Fluoride and Oral Health Focus GroupOctober 2013

Saskatchewan Community Fluoride Status 2013

“An overwhelming body of reputable scientific evidence attests to the safety and effectiveness of community water fluoridation.”

Dr. Paul Andrews SOHP Annual Conference 2013

• Community water fluoridation (CWF) has been identified by the Canadian Public Health Association as one of the twelve great public health milestones in the past 100 years

• The use of fluoride in the prevention of tooth decay continues to be endorsed by over 90 national and international professional health organizations, and is advocated by Saskatchewan's Medical Health Officers

http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/Default.aspx?DN=2b8566d8-567e-4276-8b21-6c6cf3f87639

Saskatchewan Ministry of Health’s Position Statement on Community Water Fluoridation

http://oralhealthalberta.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/WF-Position-Statements.pdf

Additional Position Statements on Fluoride




FluoridatedSaskatchewan Communities

Non-fluoridatedSaskatchewanCommunities

Average deft/DMFT

1.61 2.48

Cavities Present 13.5% 24.4%

Cavity-free 58.1% 43.9%

Dental Health of Grade 1 and Grade 7 Saskatchewan Studentsby access to community water fluoridation 2008 - 2009

Every $1 invested in adding fluoride to drinking water saves $38 in dental care.

Return On Investment = 3700%

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVZxtuZhN_M

public health a return on investment - YouTube.url


• Optimal amount 0.7 mg/L - p.p.m.

• The MAC (Maximum Allowable Concentration) is 1.5 mg/L

Fluoride Expert Panel Recommendations 2008

To adopt a level of 0.7 mg/L as the optimal target concentration for fluoride in drinking water, which would prevent excessive intake of fluoride through multiple sources of exposure

The current (MAC) of 1.5 mg/L of fluoride in drinking water is unlikely to cause adverse health effects, including cancer, bone fracture, immunotoxicity, reproductive/developmental toxicity, genotoxicity, and/or neurotoxicity (Intelligence Quotient - IQ)

• Water fluoridation has a proud sixty year history in Saskatchewan • Moose Jaw was the first Saskatchewan city to fluoridate, in 1952

Province TotalPopulation

Population With CWF

PopulationWithout CWF

Percent With CWF

Percent Without CWF

Alberta (2007)

3,290,350 2,457,406 832,944 74.7% 25.3%

Saskatchewan (2010)

1,036,285 372,236 664,049 36% 64%

Manitoba (2009)

1,214,403 920,800 293,603 75.8% 24%

Canada(2007)

31,611,911 14,258,078 17,364,803 45.1% 54.9%

Provincial Estimates for Community Water Fluoridation

Source: Provincial or Territorial Environment Ministries, Dental Directors of each Province, Ministries of Environment. Dental Health Promotion Working Group of Saskatchewan.

http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/SK-community-fluoride-data-2010




The Ugly Truth…

2010 CWF Status in Saskatchewan58 communities were fluoridating in 2010

48 communities with optimal level of CWF

(.7 mg/L) in 2010

2013 CWF Status in Saskatchewan

36 communities are actually fluoridating in 2013

18 communities with optimal level of CWF (.7 mg/L) in 2013

Since 2010 these communities have officially discontinued CWF: Meadow Lake (July 2011) Melville (May 2012) Rosetown (May 2012) Watson (March 2012, too expensive) Wynyard (Too expensive)

Since 2010 two communities reinstated CWF: Naicam (March 2012) Prince Albert (Feb 2013)

Community Water Fluoridation Status 2013

*Reinstated since 2010 Red = less than optimal Green = optimal or more

As of January 2013 these communities are NOT fluoridating but have not officially discontinued. They state they will continue but presently are experiencing equipment related difficulties etc: Langenberg Moose Jaw and communities it serves (Baildon Colony) Luseland Saskatoon and communities it serves (Aberdeen, Allan, Bradwell, Clavet,

Dalmany, Elstow, Hague, Martensille, Osler, RM Corman Park, St. Isidore de Bellevue, Warman)

Fluoridating but not to optimal levels: Balgonie Carnduff Canora Kindersley Swift Current Wadena Weyburn (McTaggart) La Ronge Wakaw and communities it serves

(Annaheim, Bruno, Cudworth, Domrey, Humboldt, Lake Lenore, Muenster, St Louis)

Fluoridating to optimal levels: Assiniboia Eston Gull Lake Indian Head Melfort and communities it serves

(Beatty, Gronlid, Kinistino, RM of Kinistino, Star City, Star City Colony, Weldon)

Moosomin Naicam Outlook Prince Albert Quill Lake Tisdale

Some communities in Saskatchewan have adequate naturally occurring fluoride levels in their community water supply

The SDPHN has approached MHOCOS for assistance with this issue

The majority of Canadians know about and support the idea of community water fluoridation yet we are experiencing downward trends in CWF

Support Community Water Fluoridation. Encourage communities which are planning to upgrade water systems to consider community water fluoridation

Anti-Fluoride Movement

• There are passionate people that actively oppose fluoride • They are well organized• Their views are based on opinion rather than facts which can be

dangerous • Even though there is strong scientific based research that totally

contradicts their opinions… they, are being heard.

So Why the Downward Trend?

• We must be confident in our views and willing to express them• Be familiar with the arguments and ready to respond to them• Don’t get over technical

http://health-evidence.ca/downloads/Fluoridation_Evidence,_summarized_by_Health_Evidence_16.Dec.11.pdf

Four of the papers most commonly used by antifluoridationists and the assessment of the methodological quality of each paper

When public action undermines public health: a critical examination of antifluoridationist literatureJason M Armfield

http://www.anzhealthpolicy.com/content/4/1/25

http://www.anzhealthpolicy.com/content/4/1/25/table/T2

Here are a few sites to check out for more information:

Suggested responses to antifluoridationist arguments





Develop additional strategies to decrease the number of children with tooth decay i.e. • Earlier 1st visit to the dental office• Increase the number of fluoride mouthrinse programs and fluoride varnish

clinics in communities assessed at high risk for decay • Implement programs that provide early oral hygiene skill development in

communities at high risk to decay. (e.g. toothbrushing programs)• Finding a solution for those vulnerable individuals that have access or barriers

to treatment• Support the consideration for a Provincial Dental Health Officer, who can

communicate and coordinate with the appropriate authorities regarding Regional, Provincial and National oral health needs and goals

What Else Can Be Done?

http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/community-water-fluoridation

Saskatchewan Ministry of Health Website Info on Fluoride


References:

CDA Position on Use of Fluorides in Caries Prevention (Revised April/2010)

Findings and Recommendations of the Fluoride Expert Panel (Jan/2007)

MHOCOS Letter of Approval of Fluoride Guidelines (Feb/2001) Fluoride in Drinking Water – Prepared by the Federal Provincial Territorial Committee on Drinking Water – Heath Canada

A Review of Water Fluoridation – Dr. Steven K Patterson

Attitudes of Canadians Towards Water Fluoridation (Quinonez C. Locker D. Public opinions on community water fluoridation. Can J Public Health. 2009 Mar-Apr; 100(2):96-100.)

*Websites in the Presentation


Saskatchewan Ministry of Health’s Position Statement on Community Water Fluoridation

Additional Position Statements on Fluoride

http://oralhealthalberta.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/WF-Position-Statements.pdf Public Health - A Return on Investment video clip







When public action undermines public health: a critical examination of antifluoridationist literature Jason M Armfield


Four of the papers most commonly used by antifluoridationists and the assessment of the methodological quality of each paper


Suggested responses to antifluoridationist arguments


Saskatchewan Ministry of Health Website info on Fluoride









Saskatchewan community fluoride status 2013

Health & Medicine

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