Calgary City Council Confirms Fluoride Savings To Be Spent On Dental Programme
Calgary City Council has confirmed that $750,000 saved by the cessation of the water fluoridation scheme will be spent on a dental programme aimed at children living in poor areas. The funding will be given to the Alex Community Health Centre and Calgary Urban Project Society to provide dental care for impoverished children.
The plans have been criticised by Ald. Diane Colley-Urquhart, as she believes that the funding brings expectations, which cannot be met, as the cash injection is a one-off and the services will consequently not be sustainable.
Ald. Druh Farrell disagreed and said that although the money was a one-off it would help to pave the way for the future, especially if new equipment is purchased and a mobile unit added to the region’s dental services.
Despite the funding boost, several Alderman in Calgary said that more needed to be done to improve dental services for children, especially those from low income families.
The Council voted in favour of stopping water fluoridation one year ago, despite appeals from dentists and public health experts. The vote was controversial and there was fierce support for both sides of the argument, with dentists supporting the use of fluoride to reduce decay and those against fluoridation claiming that fluoride is harmful and individuals should have the right to choose whether they consume fluoridated water.
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