For the AMA’s Calgary area members, the trip to the ballot box on Monday, October 18 will be about much more than voting for your mayor, councillors and school trustees.
For the 7th time since it first appeared on the Calgary municipal ballot in 1957, water fluoridation is back. Calgarians will be asked to vote on whether they are (or are not) in favor of re-introducing fluoridation to Calgary’s municipal water supply.
In the last 10 years since fluoride was removed from Calgary’s drinking water, Calgary dentists and physicians have been treating and operating on many more patients* with multiple, larger and deeper cavities, holes in teeth and missing teeth.
In a notice to AMA Section of Pediatrics members in the July issue of AMA Section News, section president Dr. Michelle Bailey said, “While the issue of fluoride in the water is critical for Calgary with a plebiscite coming up this fall, the topic is relevant to all our provincial population as fluoride in water reduces dental caries and decay.”
With Representative Forum resolution RF 19S-08 (2019 Spring RF) – “That the AMA support and advocate for fluoridation in municipal water sources in accordance with Government of Canada guidelines.”** – the AMA recognized the necessity and indisputable value of fluoride in municipal water.
In support of the motion, a survey to gauge the level of public support for water fluoridation was conducted with members of the AlbertaPatients.ca community forum; AMA representatives presented to Calgary city council; and a letter, which remains on-record, was sent to council.
Wondering how you can start NOW to support a “YES!” vote?
Please consider participating in the Fluoride Yes! campaign:
● Signing the petition: https://www.FluorideYes.ca/petition
● Volunteering: https://www.FluorideYes.ca/volunteer
● Donating: https://www.FluorideYes.ca/donate
And of course, vote YES! on October 18: www.calgary.ca/election Special Ballot (mail-in) voting
*A study conducted approximately two years after the fluoridation of Calgary’s drinking water ended in 2011 found that “decay in children’s baby teeth had risen by 65% compared to 2005, while the increase was only 14% in Edmonton,” which has fluoridated its drinking water at the Health Canada recommended level since 1967. (Source: After a decade of cavities, will Calgary put fluoride back in its water supply? Maclean’s Magazine, April 26, 2021)
**Health Canada recommends water be fluoridated to a level of 0.7 milligrams per litre (mg/L) to prevent tooth decay. The level of naturally occurring fluoride found in Calgary’s Bow and Elbow Rivers ranges from 0.1 to 0.4 mg/L. That level decreases to 0.08 to 0.26 mg/L after treatment to produce drinking water, with the result that Calgary’s drinking water contains approximately one-third of the fluoridation level recommended by Health Canada.
Related links:
Recent Study is Clear: Bring Back Fluoridation to Calgary
July 26, 2021 Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology
After a decade of cavities, will Calgary put fluoride back in its water supply?April 26, 2021 | By Jason Markusoff | Maclean’s Magazine
We support community water fluoridation. Here’s why
October 7, 2017 | Alberta Health Services - Beyond the Headlines
Community Water Fluoridation
January 15, 2020 | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Position statement on community water fluoridation
February 8, 2018 | Public Health Agency of Canada
Fact sheet: community water fluoridation
February 8, 2018 | Public Health Agency of Canada
The state of community water fluoridation across Canada
2017 report | Prepared by the Public Health Capacity and Knowledge Management Unit, Quebec Region for the Office of the Chief Dental Officer of Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada
Fighting the good fight: fluoridation of drinking water
Canadian Public Health Association
Tooth decay up in Calgary kids after fluoride removed from drinking water: study
September 14, 2016 | CBC.ca Radio – The Current
Schools and dentists boost attempts to fight cavities, years after Calgary stopped putting fluoride in water
July 12, 2017 | CBC.ca
Fluoride expected to return to Windsor water supply in the fall, health unit says
May 21, 2021 | CBC.ca
Banner image credit: Rony Michaud Pixabay.com