Group Cites Poll Showing Strong Support for Fluoride HARRISBURG, Pa., May 13
HARRISBURG, Pa., May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- A new health care coalition,
PAFluorideNOW, today cited strong public support in urging the General
Assembly to pass House Bill 1649, which would require water systems with 500
or more connections to adjust the levels of naturally occurring fluoride to
prevent tooth decay in Pennsylvania residents.
Currently, only about half of Pennsylvania's population is served by water
systems with the optimal level of fluoride to prevent tooth decay. Sixty
years of scientific study has shown fluoride prevents cavities, is safe to
consume and helps control health care costs by reducing needed dental work.
"The time is now for all Pennsylvanians to receive the health benefits and
disease protection that fluoride gives," said Dr. Thomas W. Gamba, President
of the Pennsylvania Dental Association. "The U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention has recognized fluoride as one of the 10 great public health
achievements of the 20th century. Pennsylvanians in the 21st century should
not have to wait any longer for this important health benefit."
PAFluorideNOW represents nearly 250 health foundations, health
organizations and individuals who support fluoridated water as a method for
improving the overall health of the citizens of Pennsylvania.
"Good oral health is the key to good overall health for individuals,
especially children," said Russell Johnson, President and CEO of the North
Penn Community Health Foundation.
"A child experiencing mouth pain cannot focus in school, eat the proper
food or get the right amount of sleep. Infections in the mouth of both
children and adults can affect other systems in the body. People with chronic
health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension can have
these conditions made worse by infections in the mouth," Johnson added.
Early studies of fluoride showed water fluoridation reduced the amount of
cavities children get in baby teeth by up to 60 percent and reduced tooth
decay in permanent adult teeth by nearly 35 percent. Today, studies prove
that water fluoridation continues to be effective in reducing tooth decay by
20 to 40 percent, even in an era with widespread availability of fluoride from
other sources, such as fluoride toothpaste.
Optimizing the amount of fluoride in public drinking water is not
expensive, and a study shows doing so actually saves a good deal of money. The
average cost for a community to fluoridate its water is estimated to range
from 50 cents a year per person in large communities to $3 a year per person
in small communities. The Surgeon General in 2004 said an economic analysis
determined that every $1 invested in fluoridation saves $38 in treatment
costs.
"This is an easy way to help control health care costs, while also
providing a proven community health benefit," said Rep. Stephen Barrar, (R)
Delaware County, sponsor of HB 1649. "This also helps taxpayers, who pick up
the tab for the health care of low income people."
A statewide poll by Susquehanna Polling and Research shows Pennsylvanians,
by a margin of 65 to 27 percent, support optimal fluoride levels in public
drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. 73 percent say they would pay $3
a year to help reduce tooth decay in children and cut health care costs.
SOURCE PAFluorideNOW
