Hi Neil,

My short answer is: No, I will not vote against fluoridation of drinking water until substantive evidence is shown it causes more harm than good.

My longer answer…

I referred your question to a more qualified person on the subject than I (he is a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry) and was informed fluoride in City water from a dental point of view is good.  Though the subject is controversial for some people, there are numerous studies showing fluoride is safe in very small parts per million.  Check out the link http://www.cda-adc.ca/en/oral_health/faqs_resources/faqs/fluoride_faqs.aspand in particular reference points 4 and 9.

Extracted data from point 4: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control recently named fluoridation of drinking water one of the 10 most successful public health measures in this century.

Extracted data from point 9: Where fluoride has been added to municipal water supplies, there has been a marked decline in tooth decay rates. Children need fluoride protection while their teeth are developing. Adults also need it since the possibility of root cavities (tooth decay in the roots of the teeth) increases as they get older.

Unfortunately, I do not know what the actual fluoride levels are in Red Deer but based on the data above, I would prefer to see fluoride added to City water.

Jason Chilibeck

E-mail: jason@chilibeck.4council.ca

Web: www.chilibeck.4council.ca