Dr. C.J. Ardoin II, D.D.S. is concerned about the state of drinking water in the Carlyss area.
Ardoin said he became alarmed after his discovery that Carlyss Water District #9 is not adding fluoride to its drinking water.
“I always assumed they were adding fluoride to the water,” he said. “However, after learning they did not and seeing no action being taken, I decided to do something about it myself.
Dr. Ardoin has practiced dentistry in the Carlyss area since 1987. His practice sees numerous Carlyss patients each year. He said he hopes to enlighten the community by broadcasting the message that there is currently no fluoride in the Carlyss drinking water.
“I believe many Carlyss residents simply do not know about the absence of fluoride,” he explained. “I just want them to know what they’re missing.”
Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in all water sources, including the oceans, lakes and underground water sources. Extensive research has shown that optimal levels of fluoride not only reduce cavities in children and adults, it also helps repair the early stages of tooth decay even before it is visible.
Ardoin said the effectiveness of water fluoridation has been documented in scientific literature for well over 55 years. Studies prove water fluoridation is effective in reducing tooth decay by 20 to 40 percent. The U.S. Public Health Service guidelines for fluoridation include .7 to 1.2 parts per million.
The average cost for a community to fluoridate its water is estimated between approximately 50 cents a year per person in large communities to approximately $3 a year per person in smaller areas.
According to the American Dental Association, who endorses the fluoridation of community water supplies, every $1 invested in water fluoridation saves $38 in dental treatment costs.
Ardoin is currently circulating a petition among Carlyss residents. He is also scheduled to discuss the matter at an upcoming Carlyss Water District meeting on October 8th. He said he expects a positive response from the Water Board.
“I believe I will have a favorable response with the Water Board. I have spoken with several people who are very interested in the matter.”
Ardoin said that based on the discussions he has had with Carlyss residents, many are surprised and concerned about the issue.
The Carlyss Water District will meet at 4015 Sherry Street at 5:30 p.m. on October 8th.
For more information on community fluoridation, visit the American Dental Association website at www.adh.org.
Print 
PDF