Former Waterloo Mayor Brenda Halloran said the pro-fluoride movement has come back.

She tells the Mike Farwell show on 570 NEWS, that council should re-open the debate on whether to add fluoride to the community water supply.

“People are starting to see that we are seeing an increase in cavities or as adults, we are starting to see problems in our teeth. We do need the dentists of the community to add their voices to this as well.”

She said adding fluoride to the region’s water supply isn’t an expensive thing to do.

“It only costs $45,000 every year to add fluoride to the water of Waterloo. I wonder since then, how much it has cost since then, in people’s dental costs.”

Regional Chair Karen Redman said the region does not have the necessary equipment to add fluoride to water.

“There are people who feel strongly on both sides of the issue. At this point in time, we don’t have any intentions or plans to put fluoride in the water.”

Fluoride was taken out of the community’s water supply in 2010.

Redman said at this time, the region won’t be reconsidering their decision to take out fluoride from the community’s water supply.

“It’s not something that we’ve invested a lot of investigation and research into lately, and it’s not something that we’ve crossed out. I can say that at this point in time, it’s probably not a top priority.”

Redman said the community was split almost 50/50 on fluoride in the last community consultation that was done back in 2010.

Added to water, fluoride can have a hand in reducing tooth decay, but in large quantities, the chemical can cause dental fluorosis or skeletal fluorosis, which can damage bones and joints.

*Original article online at https://www.kitchenertoday.com/local-news/pro-fluoride-movement-may-be-coming-back-to-waterloo-region-1220827

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