PA Fluoride NOW Debuts Interactive Map for Residents to Learn if Their Water Has the Best Fluoride Level to Pro...(and reduce health care costs. Studie...),Health

Studies show that the average cost of optimizing fluoride levels in a public water system ranges from 50 cents to $3 per person per year, but by optimizing fluoride it saves $38 dollars a year in health care costs.

"Fluoride in drinking water is especially important for children from low income families and families without dental insurance, who may not see a dentist regularly. Often these children end up having serious oral health problems, which are very costly when they are finally treated," Russell Johnson said. "Taxpayers pick up the tab for many low income children who are on Medicaid, so adding fluoride to drinking water will also save tax dollars."

Seniors can also benefit from fluoride, as two-thirds of older Americans do not have dental coverage, which is not part of Medicare's benefits. Studies also show rural residents are almost ten percent less likely to see a dentist regularly. This is due to lower levels of dental insurance in rural areas, fewer dentists in those areas and greater travel distances to a dentist's office.

The PA Fluoride NOW coalition members are supporting a bill in the Pennsylvania Legislature, House Bill 1649, that would require all public water systems with at least 500 connections to optimize fluoride levels.

"We have an opportunity to improve the dental health of almost half the citizens of Pennsylvania, and we should take that opportunity," said Dr. Gamba. "As dentists, our goal is to see the healthiest teeth possible in our patients, and fluoridating our drinking water is a great way to do that."

"Improving public health, helping control healthcare costs, and lowering the burden on taxpayers by helping control Medicaid spending on dental care are all the end results of the passage of House Bill 1649," said Johnson. "We urge all legislators to support this bi-partisan, common sense proposal."

The PA Fluoride NOW coalition is asking residents to conta
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