Australian towns set to benefit from fluoridated water supplies
Five Australian towns will soon benefit from fluoridated water supplies, it has been announced.
The New South Wales Health Department has announced plans to supply fluoridated water to residents of Warrumbungle Shire; so far tenders have been accepted for fluoride works in the towns of Baradine, Mendooran, Binnaway, Coolah and Coonabarabran.
The announcement comes in the light of worrying statistics relating to oral health in the area; figures suggested that residents of Warrumbungle Shire were suffering from much poorer oral health than residents in other areas of New South Wales.
Fluoride helps to strengthen the protective enamel surface of the teeth; enamel is the hardest substance in the body but it can be worn down and damaged by bacteria and sugary and acidic foods. Once the enamel becomes damaged or worn, the tooth is susceptible to decay. Numerous studies have shown that people who live in areas with fluoridated water supplies have better standards of oral health than those who live in areas without fluoridated water supplies.
General Manager from the health department, Bob Geraghty, said the fluoride programme will be funded by the health department; the maintenance costs will be covered by the council and users of the fluoride system.
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