ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)– Good oral health leads to good physical health, according to Dr. James McDonald, New York State’s Health Commissioner. He said fluoride is beneficial for teeth.
“Fluoride is naturally occurring,” said McDonald. “It’s very safe. We really want to prevent cavities and gum disease. One of the things I think about is no kid wants to go to the dentist to have their cavity filled, and no adult does either.”
A fluoride varnish can be put on a child’s teeth by a dentist. Now, a new law will allow other health care professionals to apply fluoride varnish too.
“What this legislation did, is allow dental assistants and license practical nurses to put fluoride varnish on during a doctors visit, which is an important thing,” explained McDonald. “When you put fluoride varnish on, it’s a liquid that’s painted on with a little brush. It’s usually done every three months or every six months depending on where you live.”
Senator Nathalia Fernandez sponsored the bill.
“For whatever reason, sometimes it’s hard to get your kid to brush their teeth,” said Fernandez. “Maybe parents with children with special needs need that ability to get this dental care, and this opens up access to dental care for children.”
Fluoride can be put in drinking water. However, it’s controversial.
In a post on X earlier this month, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s pick to head the Department of Health and Human services said, “On January 20th, the Trump White House will advise all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from public water.”
He called it an industrial waste that is associated with a host of ailments including arthritis and cancer.
“There’s a lot we should take out of our water here in the U.S.,” said Fernandez. “We still have lead in our water and I think that should be a bigger priority.”
Commissioner McDonald spoke about fluoride in water.
“The amount of fluoride in community water systems is a really teeny tiny amount— .7 milligrams per liter, but that little bit is all we need to keep our teeth good and strong,” said McDonald.
Original article online at: https://www.news10.com/news/governor-signs-pediatric-fluoride-bill-into-law/