Fluoridated water comes to 18 million southern Californians
|
Posted Dec. 11, 2007 |
By Stacie Crozier Los Angeles—Dec. 3, 2007, 9 a.m. PST, is now a watershed moment in the history of fluoridation in the United States.
At that moment, California's largest water agency completed its efforts to fluoridate the water that reaches some 18 million residents in southern California—the single largest expansion of fluoridation in the U.S.
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which provides water to 26 cities and water systems in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego and Ventura counties, announced its plan to fluoridate in February 2003. Since then, as it has upgraded its five water treatment facilities, MWD has also added fluoridation equipment.
"We're thrilled that this long-awaited measure is fully implemented and providing an important oral health benefit to 18 million additional citizens in California," said Jon Roth, executive director, California Dental Association Foundation.
The CDA Foundation worked with the California Fluoridation Workgroup—a broad coalition of experts and stakeholders—to bring the issue to the MWD board of directors and provided scientific, educational and financial support to assist the water agency in approving and implementing the plan.
The CDA Foundation provided $5.5 million in grant monies to design and construct fluoridation facilities at each of its five treatment facilities. Since 1995, California state law has required fluoridation of any public water supply with at least 10,000 customers, but only if the community or water district has the funds to implement fluoridation.
The efforts of many individuals and groups contributed to the fluoridation victory, Mr. Roth added. Stakeholders who worked behind the scenes for the effort included local dentists and other interested citizens; organized dentistry at the local, state and national levels; fluoridation experts; water engineers; state public health officials and others.
"This milestone fluoridation initiative and tremendous public health success story was made possible through the persistent efforts and partnerships between dentistry, public health and governmental agencies that have the potential to make a tangible difference in so many people's lives," said Dr. Lindsey A. Robinson, chair of the ADA Council on Access, Prevention and Interprofessional Relations. Dr. Robinson, of Grass Valley, Calif., is also secretary of the CDA Foundation Board of Directors. "This is a prime example of the many resources that organized dentistry has to offer in terms of promoting the oral health of the public."
"We are excited to see the MWD's fluoridation program up and running," said Dr. Brian E. Scott, president, California Dental Association and past chairman, CDA Foundation. "It is a significant advancement in the prevention of dental disease for millions of people in our state. This accomplishment clearly demonstrates how dentistry's work with a broad collaboration of stakeholders can have a huge impact on improving the oral health of Californians."
According to the CDC, approximately 67 percent of the US population that receive water from a public water supply now drink water with optimal fluoride levels for preventing decay.
The MWD Web site offers a variety of fluoridation resources for its customers at www.mwdh2o.com  , including fact sheets and frequently asked questions in six languages, plus Web site links to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the ADA and other state and national organizations that offer fluoridation information.
The ADA offers comprehensive resources on fluoridation at www.ada.org/goto/fluoride.
|
