Councillors Bob Hawkins, Cheryl Stadnichuk, Andrew Stevens, Lori Bresciani, John Findura, Dan LeBlanc, Terina Shaw, Shanon Zachidniak, Jason Mancinelli and Mayor Sandra Masters: Community Water Fluoridation – City of Regina

WHEREAS there is strong scientific evidence to show that community water fluoride programs reduce cavities and improve overall health for residents;

WHEREAS cavity reduction is particularly important if the young are to avoid traumatic dental work and if the elderly are to avoid dental appliances that are costly and difficult to manage;

WHEREAS community water fluoridation is critical to protect the teeth of vulnerable populations, including those with lower incomes, who do not have dental insurance, who do not have access to regular dental care, and who do not practice regular dental hygiene; 

WHEREAS community water fluoridation has been identified by the Canadian Public Health Association as one of the twelve great public health milestones in the past one hundred years;

WHEREAS the use of fluoridation to prevent tooth decay has been endorsed by over ninety national and international professional health organizations including the College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Dental Therapists Association, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health, the Saskatchewan Public Health Association, the Canadian Dental Association, the Canadian Medical Association, the Canadian Pediatric Association, the American Dental Association, the U.S. Centre for Disease Control, the U.S. Surgeon General and the World Health Organization;

WHEREAS community water fluoridation is widely used in accordance with Health Canada regulations in a variety of Canadian cities including Halifax, Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, London ON, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Lethbridge, Edmonton and Vancouver;

WHEREAS space is available in the design of the new Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant, with an estimated 2025 completion date, to accommodate fluoridation equipment that could serve the City of Regina; and

WHEREAS the cost of providing the City of Regina with community water fluoridation is very reasonable including an estimated $2 million dollar, one-time equipment purchase cost and an estimated two hundred and ten thousand dollar per year cost for fluoride supplies;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Regina City Council:

1.              Direct the Administration to adopt a program of community water fluoridation similar to the one currently followed by the City of Moose Jaw and in accordance with the norms established by Health Canada; and

2.              Approve the said community fluoridation program to start once the upgrades to the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment plant are completed.

Respectfully submitted,

___________________              ___________________              ___________________

Bob Hawkins                                          Cheryl Stadnichuk                            Andrew Stevens

Councillor - Ward 2                            Councillor - Ward 1                            Councillor - Ward 3

___________________              ___________________              ___________________

Lori Bresciani                                          John Findura                                          Dan LeBlanc

Councillor - Ward 4                            Councillor - Ward 5                            Councillor - Ward 6

___________________              ___________________              ___________________

Terina Shaw                                          Shanon Zachidniak                            Jason Mancinelli

Councillor - Ward 7                            Councillor - Ward 8                            Councillor - Ward 9

___________________

Sandra Masters

Mayor