A new study shows poor dental outcomes for Calgary children, prompting the city to delay reintroducing fluoride to its water supply.

The reintroduction of fluoride to Calgary's drinking water has been delayed again, with construction expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2025. In 2011, fluoride was removed from the town's drinking water and necessary infrastructure upgrades were carried out at the Glenmore and Bearpow water treatment plants. decommissioned and destroyed after the decision to stop fluoridation was made. Construction began in September 2023, with the system expected to be ready this fall, but global supply chain uncertainty has pushed the completion date to 2025.

In November 2021, city council voted to reintroduce fluoride to Calgary's drinking water after a plebiscite voted 62% to add the mineral. Dr. James Dickinson, a professor at the University of Calgary, has been part of the campaign to bring fluoride back into the water and expressed his disappointment at the delay. He emphasized the importance of fluoride for oral health, especially for children who do not have access to dental care. Not only is the reintroduction of fluoride taking longer, but it is more expensive than originally estimated, with infrastructure costs for the two treatment plants rising to $28.1 million.

A new study by dental researchers at the University of Alberta has found that ending water fluoridation could have a negative impact on the oral health of young children, which could lead to an increase in tooth decay-related dental treatments under general anesthesia. The study compared rates of such treatment in fluoridated and non-fluoridated communities in Alberta between 2010 and 2019. The results showed that discontinuation of water fluoridation was associated with higher caries-related healing rates under general anesthesia in both age groups. the effect is more pronounced in young children in non-fluoridated areas.

Dickinson noted that dentists have seen an increase in dental problems in children since losing fluoride, and more children needing general anesthesia for major dental work. The study confirmed the growing rate of dental treatment under anesthesia in Calgary, particularly for children under five years of age. Dickinson emphasized the long-term impact of poor oral health, noting that even one cavity in a child's permanent teeth can lead to expensive dental treatment later in life. Starting with healthy teeth in childhood can make a big difference in overall oral health and the cost of dental care.

The delay in reintroducing fluoride to Calgary's drinking water has raised concerns about the impact on oral health, particularly for vulnerable populations who lack access to regular dental care. Advocates like Dr. Dickinson emphasize the importance of fluoride in preventing dental problems and the public benefit of adding it to the water supply. A University of Alberta study further supports the need for water fluoridation during general anesthesia to reduce the rate of tooth decay associated with dental caries, particularly in non-fluoridated areas such as Calgary. The city's decision to reintroduce fluoride is critical to the oral health of its residents, especially children.

Overall, the delay in restoring fluoride reflects ongoing challenges in infrastructure projects and global supply chains. However, the importance of fluoride to oral health, especially in the prevention of dental disease in children, cannot be overemphasized. The costs and timelines for infrastructure upgrades reflect the complexity of implementing public health initiatives such as water fluoridation. Going forward, it will be important for the City to prioritize the completion of these upgrades to ensure that fluoride is reintroduced as soon as possible to benefit the dental health of all Calgarians.