Louisiana

WATER FLUORIDATION STATUS:

• PERCENT OF PEOPLE SERVED BY PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS THAT ARE FLUORIDATED:
  2018:  39.0% – ranked #46 among the states (100% fluoridated is ranked #1)
  2016:  44.2%
  2014:  43.5%
  2012:  43.4%
  2006:  40.4%
  2000:  53.2%
  1992:  55.7%
• To see if your town is fluoridated, click here.
• To learn when your town was fluoridated, and which fluoridation chemical it uses, click here.

LOUISIANA FLUORIDE DATA FOR EACH WATER SYSTEM

• 2020: Levels of Fluoride in the State’s Drinking Water and Fluoridation Status: 62 Public Water Systems with fluoride levels over 0.71 ppm.

LATEST NEWS:

• To see the latest news on fluoride developments in Louisiana, click here.
• To see an updated list of Louisiana’s professionals calling for an end to fluoridation, click here.
• Undated. Policy Brief: Brushing Up on Children’s Oral Health in Louisiana. Focus on community water fluoridation as prevention.

Louisiana’s MANDATORY FLUORIDATION LAW:

• Louisiana Revised Statutes Annexed § 40:5.11 mandates that all communities serving 5,000 or more customers add fluoride to public drinking water supplies.  Utilities are not required to initiate fluoride programs unless the state identifies sufficient funds to cover the costs.  Residents can opt out of fluoridation through a petition signed by at least 15 percent of registered voters and approval from a majority of voters at the next municipal election.  To learn more about this law, click here.

DATA ON ORAL HEALTH:

• Undated. Louisiana Statewide Oral Health Coalition. State Plan for 2010-2013. By the Louisiana Statewide Oral Health Coalition.  No mention of dental fluorosis.
• 2010. Oral Health in Louisiana. A document on the oral health status of Louisiana’s population. By Rishu Garg, Oral Health Program Epidemiologist/Evaluator. Department of Health and Hospitals, Oral Health Program. July. The creation of this document was made possible with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Oral Health by Cooperative Agreement DP08 – 802.
  — Enamel Fluorosis Mentioned: Fluoride supplements (page 34): “It is recommended that the risk of tooth decay should be weighted before issuing a prescription for these supplements in children younger than 6 years of age because these supplements also increase the risk of enamel fluorosis.” Fluoride mouth rinse (page 34)”Children under 6 years old are not recommended to use it without the prescription of a dentist because of the risk of enamel fluorosis as they tend to swallow it more often than adults.”
  — Fluoride gel and foam (page 34): “These are usually applied in dental offices and pose less of a threat for fluorosis in children younger than six because of the big intervals in between the applications… Fluoride varnish has a fluoride concentration of 22,600 ppm…”
• 2011. Bright Smiles for Bright Futures. Basic Screening Survey. By Rishu Garg, MD, MPH, A Report of the Oral Health Status of Louisiana’s Third Grade Children.  No mention of dental fluorosis.

Louisiana’s fluoridation advisory board

The 14-member board helps water systems with at least 5,000 customers obtain funding for fluoridation of its system.
As of January 2013 :

Ballard, Richard W., D.D.S.
Mandeville, LA 70448

Brasher, Richard R., D.D.S.
Alexandria, LA 71301-3451

Buras, Floyd A., M. D.
Metairie, LA 70002

Catchings, Susan “Sue”
St. Francisville, LA 70775

Catchings, Susan “Sue”
St. Francisville, LA 70775

Catchings, Susan “Sue”
St. Francisville, LA 70775

Cosse, Christopher C., DDS
Shreveport, LA 71105

Credeur, Patrick “Pat”, Jr.
Kinder, LA 70648

Farrar, Suzanne K
New Orleans, LA 70119

Foy, Charles B., D.D.S.
Madisonville, LA 70447-0010

Gremillion, Henry A., D.D.S.
New Orleans, LA 70119

Grimball, Roger G., Jr.,D.D.S.
Sulphur, LA 70663-5102

Little, John T., D.D.S.
Winnsboro, LA 71295-5426

Richard, Cyril “CJ”, Jr., DDS
Walker, LA 70785

Taylor, John F., D.D.S.
Crowley, LA 70526

FAN’S STATE COORDINATOR IN Louisiana:

If you live in LA and want to get the fluoride out of your water contact Vic Hummert, FAN’s Louisiana state coordinator.

Louisiana COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE REJECTED FLUORIDATION:

LOUISIANA WATER SYSTEMS WITH HIGH FLUORIDE LEVELS:

FLUORIDE POLLUTION SOURCES IN LOUISIANA:

In 2008, Louisiana ranked #25 out of 48 states for Hydrogen Fluoride releases (710,386 pounds) into the environment. The following data comes from EPA’s Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). “Total releases” includes both water and air pollution. It’s important to note, however, that not all industries or sources that release fluoride into the environment are included in the TRI.