The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recognized the Council Bluffs Water Works “for its consistent and professional adjustment of the fluoride content to the recommended level for oral health for 12 consecutive months in 2017.

Caitlin Beresford, chairperson of the Water Works Board of Trustees and a doctor of dental surgery at Bluffs Family Dentistry, accepted the award for the utility.

Council Bluffs Water Works CEO and General Manager Doug Drummey said the utility began fluoridating was about 1962 and has been adding the tooth-decay fighting chemical since.\

Drummey said that while some cities have ended water fluoridation programs because of the costs involved, the costs are minimal in a community the size of Council Bluffs compared to the benefit to community residents.

Too, Drummey said, the level of fluoride added to the water supply has been reduced somewhat in recent years as a result of the addition of fluoride to toothpaste growth of fluoride treatment by dentists.

Bob Russell, state public health dental directors and chief, Bureau of Oral and Health Delivery Systems for the Iowa Department of Public Health, noted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognizes water fluoridation as one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. Water fluoridation continues to be important today, preventing approximately 25 percent of tooth decay in both children and adults.

The Iowa Department of Public Health and Family Inc. are proud to present the Council Bluffs Water Works with this certificate, Russell said in a release.

“We greatly appreciate your continued commitment to public health through water fluoridation and your outstanding performance as a water works system,” Russell said.

*Original article online at https://www.nonpareilonline.com/news/good_news/bluffs-water-works-wins-fluoridation-quality-award/article_ccb5b4d2-8f02-5477-81b6-5635a5cfe8cb.html

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