Foundation Celebrates Fluoridation Milestone

Metropolitan Water District Completes Fluoridation Treatment on 12/3

The morning of December 3 marked the fifth and final fluoridation treatment plant coming online at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. This particular plant, the Skinner Facility, which provides much of the water to the San Diego County region, concludes the roll-out of the MWD fluoridation program and brings the goal of 75% of California residents receiving fluoridated water by 2010 that much closer. The Foundation would like to thank all those members and stakeholders who made this possible, particularly Edgar Dymally of MWD staff, Dr. Tim Collins of the Los Angeles Department of Health, Dr. Dave Nelson of the CDPH, and Marjorie Stocks - CDA Foundation fluoridation consultant. Although there were many, many more people involved, these folks were on the front line with us every day ensuring this milestone happened.

Dentists and Physicians to suspend fluoride supplementation for one year

The Metropolitan Water District (MWD) of Southern California will begin fluoridating its water on October 29, 2007.  Approximately 18 million residents in the Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, and Riverside area will benefit.  The California Department of Public Health has recommended that physicians and dentists suspend prescribing fluoride supplements for one year after the MWD implementation date in order to allow the local public water systems time to record average fluoride levels in their water. The suspension only pertains to fluoride drops and tablets prescribed to patients and does not apply to topical applications such as fluoride foam/gel treatments, fluoride rinses, or fluoride varnish applications. Halting supplements during this one-year period will help ensure that consumers do not receive more fluoride than is necessary and will not affect tooth formation in children.

Please see and share the attached letter from the California Department of Public Health and a map* of the Southern California areas that will receive fluoridated water.

*The map shows that the San Diego area will begin receiving fluoridated community water on November 5th. That date has been changed to December 3, 2007. 

Click here for the September 2007 CDA Update Article.

Click here for more information on fluoride and community water fluoridation.