[All] Lulu vs. Chief Dental Officer

[Louisette Lanteigne]

Hi Gren Members



Last night, Peter V. Coony, the Chief Dental Officer stated at the 
public debate that Health Canada has no concerns regarding application 
of fluoridated water for babies. Such restrictions were given in the US due to their higher fluoride levels but not in Canada.  I told him evidence exists on the 
Health Canada website to state there is a risk for children 6 months of 
age and less. He said there was not. He said he's part of the panel on the issue, if there were such a risk or restriction he would know about
 it. I told him I would send him the link which I did. Here it is:



The Canadian Paediatric Society Nutrition Committee, Dietitians of
Canada and Health Canada collaborated on the preparation of this
statement as seen on the Health Canada website. It states:


  Recommendations:



35. Fluoride supplementation is not recommended for infants less than 6 months of age.


http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/pubs/infant-nourrisson/nut_infant_nourrisson_term_1-eng.php


Afterwards, Mr. Cooney emailed me back and stated:



Yes, this statement advises that fluoridated water is 
good but we recommend to avoid fluoride supplements. These, as you know,
 can be purchased at drug stores and we do not recommend their use as 
they come as a single high dose.

Fluoridated water is low in concentration (0.7 ppm) and works topically as well as systemically.

So this statement ties in with our meeting last night in suggesting to go with fluoridated water but not supplements.



I wrote him back and stated: 



Just for clairification's sake, do you agree that water fluoridation in water supplies is providing a supplement?



Are
 you stating as a dentist, not dietary expert, that fluoridated water 
supplies are appropriate to give to infants 6 months and less?



I have yet to receive his response to that. It's a sad state when it takes a common housewife from Waterloo to 
remind the Chief Dental Officer with Health Canada that fluoride should 
not be given to infants. 

Lulu
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