Aug. 10, 2015
On July 29, the Denver Board of Water Commissioners held a meeting to review the latest information and science surrounding community water fluoridation, which has been provided to the community since 1953. After hearing from both proponents and opponents of fluoridation, the board announced that it will accept written public comments until Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2015. The board will vote in late August to change or retain its current fluoridation policy. We need your help!
Please take a few minutes to send comments to Denver Water today. Your comments WILL be read and will make a difference!
Please Send Written Comments to:
Denver Water
Attn: Matt Wittern
Matt.Wittern@denverwater.org
or
Denver Water Administration Building
1600 W. 12th Ave.
Denver, CO 80204
Letters do not need to be lengthy, nor do they need to be filled with statistics. The most effective correspondence will be comments based on your personal experience with patients, education and knowledge as a healthcare professional.
• Have you seen patients from both fluoridated and non-fluoridated communities, and have you noticed a difference?
• Do you (and your children) consume fluoridated water?
• Do you believe in facts and science-based studies regarding the benefits of fluoride?
Letters should be addressed to the Denver Board of Water Commissioners and can be emailed or mailed to the addresses above by Aug. 12, 2015.
If you have colleagues in the medical field, please ask them to share their support with the Denver Water board as well.
Denver water serves over 1 million people in Denver, Jefferson, Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas counties. Community water fluoridation was named one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th Century and is supported by 70 years of research that continues to demonstrate safety, efficacy and economic benefits. Community water fluoridation benefits every member of a community, young and old-and for many it is the only preventive oral health measure that is used.
Community water fluoridation benefits all consumers no matter their socioeconomic background. It reduces costs related to preventable diseases (dental disease is almost 100% preventable). Access to optimally fluoridated water provides the foundation for optimal oral health, which directly affects general health. This is true for our children, our seniors and everyone in between.
The board will vote on this issue at its next meeting on Aug. 26, 2015. Outcomes from this meeting will have impacts not just on those served by Denver Water, but also across the state. As one of the larger and well-respected water systems, policy changes at Denver Water could also have national impact.
Please forward this information to anyone who may be interested in writing a letter of support. Find information on community water fluoridation at http://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Molly Pereira at the CDA at molly@cdaonline.org or 303-996-2844.
