Sask. dental expert agrees with Calgary study on fluoride
A Saskatchewan expert in dental public health is welcoming a new study from the University of Calgary showing kids who grow up without fluoride in the water supply have higher rates of cavities than those who do.
Researchers compared the dental health of children in Grade 2 in Calgary which cut fluoride from the water supply, and Edmonton which still adds it. The study concluded kids in Calgary had an average of nine cavities, while kids in Edmonton had four.
Gerry Uswak is the dean of the University of Saskatchewan College of Dentistry and specializes in dental public health. He said the study out of Calgary supports what many dental and public health professionals already believe. He says the policy of adding fluoride to the water supply is a safe and cost-effective way to improve overall dental health for an entire population.
“The upside is, if we fluoridate, we know, or we believe that peoples’ oral health will be improved which will reduce the cost of getting dental treatment over a lifetime,” he said.