Calgary Dentists Say Cavity Increase Due To Cessation Of Water Fluoridation
Dentists in Calgary claim that the increase in cavities among children over the last two years has been caused by the cessation of water fluoridation.
Water fluoridation was stopped two years ago and dentists in the area claim that this was a huge mistake. Dr Sarah Hulland, the head of Alberta Academy of Paediatric Dentistry, said that she had witnessed deterioration in standards of children’s oral health over the last two years, with more children suffering from cavities and more severe cavities, which are getting larger much quicker.
Dr Hulland says that the decision to stop water fluoridation two years ago is having an impact on children. Tooth decay is completely preventable, yet figures show that 30 per cent of aged five and under suffer from cavities.
Dr Warren Loeppky said that he has experienced the same trend at his clinic in the North West of the city and added that the longer the city has no water fluoridation, the more children dentists are going to treat for cavities. Dr Loeppky is now calling on the city council to consider repealing the decision and start water fluoridation again.
Ald Druh Farrell was responsible for leading the campaign to stop water fluoridation; he claimed that some of the money saved by stopping fluoridation could be used to improve children’s dental health programmes. The saving is estimated to be around $750,000 per year.
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