21
Volume2 Issue1
|
N
ews and
E
vents
SaintJohn considers
FLUORIDEDELIVERYMETHODS
Preventing toothdecay is especially
important for thecity’smost vulnerable
residents saysDr. KellyManning, president
ofNBDSandaSaint John-areadentist.
“Our biggest challenge, I think, is to reach
preschool-agedchildrenand theelderly.”
Through itsworkonacommittee
of VibrantCommunities Saint John,
anorganization that supports local
poverty-reductionefforts, NBDS is raising
awarenessof afluoride rinseprogram
provided inelementary schools. The
programhasbeenavailable tochildren in
kindergarten togradefive for some time,
but has experiencedpoor uptake in recent
years.
“Thebenefit of this
fluoride rinseprogram
is that it has the
potential to reach
peoplewhochoose
not todrinkmunicipal
water, regardless
ofwhether it’s
fluoridatedor not.
They’rechoosing
bottledwater or
usewellwater. Even
withfluoridated
drinkingwater,
there’s always a
segment of the
population that
we’remissing,”
saysDr.Manning.
TheNBDSalsohad theopportunity to
discuss thebenefitsof fluoridateddrinking
waterwithaSaint Johncitycouncillor
who sitson theVibrantCommunities
committee, “sincewedidn’t haveachance
tohave that conversationbeforecouncil
made their decision to removefluoride,”
explainsDr.Manning. “I’mever hopeful
that thecouncilwill re-implementwater
fluoridationbecause I think it’s themost
equitablewayof gettingfluoride to those
vulnerablepopulations.”
a
In thewakeof theSaint John,NewBrunswick, city council decision inMarch2014 to remove
fluoride frommunicipaldrinkingwater, theNewBrunswickDentalSociety(NBDS) ispursuing
alternativewaystodeliverfluoridetothecity’sresidents.
Dr.KellyManning
VisitOasis Podcasts
tohearDr.Manning's
interview following
theSaint Johncity
council decision
inMarch2014
Evenwithfluoridateddrinkingwater,
there’s always a segment of the
population thatwe’remissing...
