S'pore will continue to put fluoride in drinking water supply:
Khaw
Posted: 27 April 2010 2103 hrs
SINGAPORE: Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan says
Singapore will continue to put fluoride in its drinking water
supply as it is an effective way to fight tooth decay.
He said this in a written reply to MP for Marine Parade GRC, Mr
Seah Kian Peng.
Mr Seah had asked whether putting fluoride in the drinking supply
is still necessary to prevent dental caries.
He also asked about the current percentage of developed countries
that still fluoridate their water supply and the empirical
experience in Singapore on the levels of dental caries.
Mr Khaw said Singapore started putting fluoride into its water
supply in 1954.
"Our experts in the Fluoride Review Committee have recommended that
we should continue to do so," he said.
First, it has been effective in reducing dental caries.
Second, research by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has shown
that fluoride is most effective in preventing dental caries if a
low level of fluoride is constantly present in the mouth.
Mr Khaw said while Singaporeans today have access to more sources
of fluoride, such as fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses, these
products are not used by everyone.
He said water fluoridation remains the most cost-effective
preventive public health measure for tooth decay.
Third, the Cochrane Collaboration Oral Health Group, an
international expert group, has studied allegations of health risk
due to water fluoridation.
"They found no evidence of such an allegation, so long as the water
fluoridation is kept within a certain fluoride concentration
level," said Mr Khaw.
Mr Khaw said the latest WHO guideline prescribes it at 1.5 mg per
litre.
"In Singapore, we have over the years progressively reduced our
fluoridation level to its current concentration level of 0.6mg per
litre in our tap water. This is well within the WHO's prescribed
safety level," he said.
Some 40 countries, including the US, Australia, New Zealand and
Ireland have water fluoridation schemes in place.
Singapore's Fluoride Review Committee meets regularly to review the
appropriate and safe concentration level of fluoride in drinking
water.
Mr Khaw said their conclusion was that dental fluorosis is not
prevalent in Singapore, and is only of minor aesthetic
concern.
Dental fluorosis is a health condition caused by a child receiving
too much fluoride during tooth development.
In its mild form, it appears as tiny white streaks or specks that
are often unnoticeable.
In its severe form, it is characterized by black and brown stains,
as well as cracking and pitting of the teeth.
- CNA/jy
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1052918/1/.html
More dirty water for us...... We got OWNED.
*400th post*