The Grey-Bruce Medical Officer of Health would like the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) to provide the funding and technical support required for municipalities to fluoridate their water.

It’s part of a recommendation from the the Simcoe-Muskoka Health Unit, requesting the province mandate all municipal water systems be fluoridated when levels are below Health Canada’s recommended level of 0.7mg/L.

MOH Doctor Hazel Lynn, says alPHa’s annual meeting, involving a representative from every regional Board of Health in Ontario, is scheduled for June 3rd.

Doctor Lynn tells Bayshore Broadcasting News support for the proposal would demonstrate unity among the regional boards, and thus carries more influence.

Although she believes mandating fluoridated water is unlikely, Doctor Lynn tells us many municipalities would welcome the funding to help curb youth dental problems.

Numbers from Statistics Canada shows that Orillia children have the highest rate of dental decay of the 10 municipalities reviewed in the Simcoe-Muskoka region.

Health Canada claims about 45 per cent of Canadians drink fluoridated water.

Doctor Lynn and a representative from the Grey-Bruce Health Unit will attend the alPHa conference on June 3rd in Richmond Hill.

Any changes to fluoridation regulations would require the provincial government to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act.

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