The reintroduction of fluoride into Calgary’s drinking water has been delayed once again, with construction of the required infrastructure upgrades now expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2025. Fluoride was removed from the city’s drinking water in 2011, and city officials had anticipated the system would be ready by fall of this year. However, due to ongoing uncertainty in the global supply chain, the completion date has been pushed back. The delay is not only taking longer but is also more costly than originally estimated, with the implementation cost at the two water treatment plants now at $28.1 million, up from the initial estimate of $10.1 million.
In November of 2021, city council approved the reintroduction of fluoride to Calgary’s drinking water following a plebiscite that showed 62% support for the mineral to be added back into the water. Dr. James Dickinson, a professor at the University of Calgary, was part of a campaign to bring fluoride back into the city’s drinking water. He expressed disappointment in the delay, noting that a whole generation of children is growing up without the benefits of fluoride in their water, which can have negative impacts on their oral health. Dickinson emphasized the importance of fluoride in dental health, especially for those who cannot afford dental care, as even a small amount of fluoride in the water can make a significant difference.
A new study conducted by dental researchers at the University of Alberta found that discontinuing water fluoridation in Calgary appears to negatively affect young children’s oral health, potentially leading to an increase in dental treatments under general anesthesia. The study compared the rate of caries-related dental treatments in fluoridated and non-fluoridated communities in Alberta between 2010 and 2019, showing a higher rate of treatments in non-fluoridated areas. The results indicated a significant increase in the rate of treatments under general anesthesia for children in non-fluoridated areas, particularly in the 0-5 age group.
Dickinson noted that dentists have been reporting an increase in young children with severe dental issues since the removal of fluoride from the water. The study confirmed these observations, showing a rise in the rates of dental treatments under anesthesia, particularly in Calgary where fluoridation was discontinued. Dickinson emphasized the importance of preventive dental care, highlighting the long-term impacts of untreated cavities in children. He noted that maintaining healthy teeth in childhood can lead to significant cost savings in dental care and overall improved quality of life.
The delay in reintroducing fluoride into Calgary’s drinking water has raised concerns about the impact on oral health, especially for vulnerable populations and young children. The study conducted by dental researchers at the University of Alberta provides evidence of the negative effects of discontinuing water fluoridation, showing an increase in dental treatments under general anesthesia in non-fluoridated areas. Dickinson and other advocates for fluoride in drinking water stress the importance of preventive dental care and the benefits of fluoride in promoting oral health for the entire community. The continued delay in reintroducing fluoride highlights the ongoing challenges in ensuring access to essential public health measures.
