Nova Scotia Dental Association

Tag: Fluoride

  • N.S. Dental Association Stressing Importance of Community Water Fluoridation

    N.S. Dental Association Stressing Importance of Community Water Fluoridation

    The Nova Scotia Dental Association (NSDA) launched an awareness campaign today (Friday, March 7), stressing the importance of community water fluoridation (CWF) and its willingness to work with municipalities to ensure its future.

    The campaign comes after it was revealed in the fall that the Town of New Glasgow plans to end CWF in the coming months when its current supply runs out, while timelines to resume fluoridation at Halifax Water’s Lake Major Water Supply Plant are uncertain.

    “Public health is our number one priority.” said Dr. Claire Karst, president of the Nova Scotia Dental Association. “The NSDA continues to vigorously support community water fluoridation as a necessary way to prevent tooth decay and promote oral health.”

    “Fluoridation has been proven to reduce tooth decay by up to 30 percent and the cost to fluoridate water pays for itself. Every dollar invested in community water fluoridation saves anywhere from $5 to as much as $93 in dental treatment costs for patients. Municipalities and utilities that decide to remove CWF will have to be prepared for a spike in associated dental costs for citizens.”

    Ten Nova Scotia municipalities currently provide fluoridated drinking water to most of their residents. The cost of ongoing maintenance and supply associated with CWF has been raised as a concern. However, Dr. Karst says the NSDA is willing to work with municipalities and utilities to provide guidance to those considering adding or maintaining fluoride in their potable water.

    “Nova Scotia’s dental and health communities believe we can’t afford not to fluoridate,” said Dr. Karst. “We pledge to work with all Nova Scotia municipalities and residents to help secure the future of community water fluoridation in this province.”

    Over the next two weeks, the NSDA will be posting information highlighting the importance of water fluoridation on its social media channels:

    https://www.facebook.com/NovaScotiaDentalAssociation

    https://www.instagram.com/nsdentalassociation

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/nova-scotia-dental-association

    Quick facts:

    • Community water fluoridation is the process of adjusting the level of naturally occurring fluoride in a public drinking water supply to optimize dental benefits. For more than 50 years, communities across Canada have used CWF as a safe and effective means of preventing tooth decay.
    • Fluoride is found naturally in soil, air, many foods, and both fresh and salt water. It helps strengthen teeth and prevent decay.
    • The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) named community water fluoridation as one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century and, for more than 75 years, scientific evidence has pointed to water fluoridation as safe and effective.
    • Tooth decay is the number one health condition among children and studies have shown a lack of fluoridation leads to a significant increase in cavities and the use of antibiotics.

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    Media Contact:
    David Salter
    Communications Manager
    Nova Scotia Dental Association
    902-420-0088 ext. 2
    communications.nsda@bellaliant.com

  • Public Health returns to schools with a renewed fluoride delivery program

    Public Health returns to schools with a renewed fluoride delivery program

    Nova Scotia Health, Public Health, works collaboratively with partners across school, community, government, and healthcare to improve oral health outcomes for children. As a component of this work, Public Health is pleased to announce its school-based topical fluoride delivery program has resumed in the 2023-24 school year, having been paused for three years due to COVID-19.

    A school-based fluoride delivery program has been part of Public Health’s work in Nova Scotia since 1998. The benefits of school-based programs are greatest for children that face multiple risk conditions for dental decay and poor oral health outcomes. You may remember that Public Health’s fluoride mouthrinse program was offered in certain elementary schools and involved a weekly mouthrinse provided by volunteers. Based on an extensive program review, Public Health has modernized its approach and has switched to a fluoride varnish program delivered directly by Public Health Dental Hygienists.

    Public Health’s Fluoride Varnish Program is a targeted program, focused on schools in communities that will benefit most from additional opportunities to receive fluoride. Children in pre-primary to grade 6 in schools that are within these higher-risk communities will be offered up to two applications of fluoride varnish per school year. Having a variety of ways to access the preventative benefits of fluoride is an important strategy for improving population health. Public Health’s Fluoride Varnish Program complements other oral health programs and ways that children currently access and receive fluoride.

    Public Health is very clear in its communication with parents/guardians that this program does not replace regular check-ups or fluoride treatments by a dentist, dental hygienist, or other community oral health care programs and does not provide a complete oral health exam. Parents may receive a note recommending they follow up with their dental provider for an assessment. If urgent issues are observed (defined as pain, abscess, or swelling), parents/guardians will receive a follow-up phone call and/or letter from the dental hygienists to seek immediate care. At that time, the dental hygienists help navigate families to the appropriate service.

    Public Health anticipates that dentists across the province may receive questions regarding the program, and we encourage you to reach out to the dental hygienists from your local Public Health Office (nshealth.ca/public-health).

    Public Health is pleased to be a key partner in supporting good oral health for children in Nova Scotia and invites you to join in promoting and supporting this important program that reaches children who may not otherwise receive the benefits of fluoride.

    Looking for resources?
    To download a fluoride varnish program infographic, log in to your NSDA account and click Member Resources > Resource Documents > Fluoride Varnish Program.
    Photo courtesy Nova Scotia Health