AS - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, February 5, 2003 Dear Sir: Having just finished a busy Remove fluoride? No way CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD day restoring little people’s teeth at the hospital and then fi- nishing off the afternoon resior- ing some bigger people’s teeth, the words of Dr. Fish, the dentist in the animated series Bob and Margaret, came to mind. After a busy day at his practice he is heard to say “I don’t know what is going on around here. Has someone taken the fluoride out of the water?” To my horror I come home to discover while watching the local news that someone is trying to take the fluoride out of the water! My question is why even consider this now? Fluoride is one of the great public health success stories. The rate of decay among the general population has steadily declined over the last fifty years. It might be argued that other factors like diet and antibiotics have been helpful but even the most skepti- cal men of science have to admit fluoride has helped dramatically decrease tooth decay. Debates on fluoridation of drinking water often deter- jorate into zealous and erroneous misinformation being bantered around about the over all benefits of fluoride Water fluoridation has been recognized by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention as one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th Century. Unfortunately dental caries is stiil very prevalent in this region and in some younger age groups wilhin cer- tain segments of the population it has become almost epidemic. It is frustrating when a disease that can be so destructive and is so preventable continues to affect so many people. I have my own theory and it is ail about vigilance. Dental care is an ongoing process during one's life. To be successful regular dental examination and preventa- tive care are essential. The use of fluoride toothpastes, floss and excellent hygiene are invaluable controlling this problem. Fluoridation of public water supplies en- sures an ongoing exposure to supplement these preventa- ~ tive measures. It not uncommon to see individuals who have had good teeth because they have had good care experience dramatic increases in dental decay if this level is care is reduced. The young are particularly sus- ceptible and increasingly so are the elderly. What about the children who do not get regular dental visits, those with parents that cannot afford the 6-month checkups and cannot always afford the toothpaste. What about the elderly who loose their dental plans and do not continue regular care programs. The provincial govern- ment’s refusal to properly fund dental care for low-in- come families is placing many children and adults at tisk for higher decay rates. Currently a majority of poorer families are struggling to find the resources to make up shortfalls in funding for this vital part of their health care. Significant numbers of families in this community, through no fault of. their awn, have lost their dental coverage as employment benefits expire. Families struggling economically benefit greatly from fluoride in the water that they drink. Those with regular care and good hygiene achieve maximum benefits as the fluoride in the drinking water gives them optimum exposure. After all the trouble and expense the city has pone through to provide us all with great tasting drinking water, it seems a shame to stop supplementing the already natural. concentration. Nature itself apparently already places up to .02 ppm of fluoride into our local water supply meaning a small increase to O8ppm would help nature along in providing us with a a proud sponsor of CRIME <> UCDPPEF TEES Terrace Crime Stoppers are asking for help to investigate a theft from the public library. On December 31, 2002 at approximately 10:30 a.m., a younger male stole two: large’ _ books from the Terrace Public Library. - os The male removed a dust jacket from. a. Random House Dictionary (valued at $150.00). “and took It with another. book froma table in the | - library. The male then avoided security devices “ ; at the library an exited the building... ms ‘The male is described as a ‘Native’ 16- “20°: years of age. He was wearing a light coloured * “hoody” jacket, baseball cap and a dark» ‘caloured backpack. He may nave been wearing headphones. : ar Terrace Crimestoppers wants. your: information, not your name. Any information is ¢ conviction of the offenders. Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward of up to $1,000.60 for information leading to an arrest and charges balng laid against an Individual In this or other unsolved crime. If you have any information call Crime Stoppers at 635-TIPS that's 635-8477. Callars will not be required to reveal thelr identity nor testily in court, Crime Sloppers does not subscribe to cail display. -valuable and may jead to the arrest and “d. Call 63 5.TIPS ynevt Home & Tenant ERY. co Commercial * Liability * Jet Boats C Mobile Homes * Travel On, yo at Vemdinneeeowe ta wed 8 re 1-890-335-8088 250-635-5232 Fax: 250-635-3288 4635 Greig Avenue, Terrace, B.C. (Next To SAAN} Ces \ The Mail Bag natural remedy for making teeth resistant to decay. Perhaps when economic times improve, perhaps when the resources are there to ensure every child and adult can get regular dental care so all can equally benefit. Perhaps when the level of dental education ensures that ali parents brush their teeth two to three times daily with fluoride toothpaste and they floss regularly and supervise their children's daily care. Perhaps then and only then we might take a closer look at the value of fluoridating the water. Fluoridation is by far the most cost-effective means of preventative dental care; its removal will have the biggest impact on those that can least afford to pay the consequences. Pr. Thomas Nenninger BSc. BScPT. DDS, Terrace, B.C. Results not typical. Winning Points is a plan you can stick with till you reach your goal. - You can eat the foods you love, stay satisfied, and still lose welght. Now at Weight Watchers~ get “In the Groove"- your cool quide to getting sated free when you join. 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