Water Fluoridation
Water fluoridation remains a controversial topic in today's society. It was started in the 1940s when dentists realized that patients from areas with natural fluoridated water had less tooth decay than those from areas with little or no naturally occurring floride in their water sources. This page is meant to give you access to some resources for information on the history of water fluoridation in Toronto and current literature on the topic. A physical display of books will also be available from September 22-26 at the Dentistry Library.
History of Water Fluoridation in Toronto
- An evaluation of the dental effects of water fluoridation, City of Toronto, 1963-1975: a report byCall Number: RK52.4 .C3 L4 1976 DENT (Dentistry)Publication Date: 1976This report used statistics gathered from the annual dental survey from 1963 to 1975 to see if there were any improvements in oral health since water fluoridation was introduced in Toronto.
These resources will help you trace the introduction of water fluoridation in Toronto. Although approved in 1955, Toronto did not implement fluoridation until September 4, 1963 due to poublic concerns and investigations.. The following resources include reports from the Ontario Fluoridation Investigating Committee, national reports investigating fluoride adverse effects, City of Toronto reports, census of cities with fluoridated water, etc.
- Water fluoridation : a brief presented to the Ontario Fluoridation Investigating Committee byCall Number: RA591.7 .R68 1960 (Dentistry)Publication Date: 1960This booklet highlights the benefits of water fluoridation. It is a statement from the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario expressing their support for the process. The appendices include letters of support from major dental associations and institutions, such as the Ontario Dental Association, Ontario Public Health Association, University of Toronto, Hospital for Sick Children, and many others.
Canadian Dental Association Fluoride FAQ
The Canadian Dental Association put together an FAQ on fluoride, answering some key questions on water fluoridation.
Water Brothers Documentary
The Water Brothers, Alex and Tyler Mifflin investigate both sides of water fluoridation.
Resources available at Dentistry and other UofT Libraries
- Community Water Fluoridation in Canada: Trends, Benefits, and Risks byCall Number: OnlinePublication Date: 2014This is a brief, but informational booklet on the status of water fluoridation in Canada. Published by the National Collaborating Centre for Environment Health, it provides a very good summary of the evidence available for the adverse effects and benefits of water fluoridation.
- Real Cost of Removing Water Fluoridation: A Health Equity Impact Assessment byCall Number: OnlinePublication Date: 2013This is a study conducted by the Wellesley Institute that outlines the draw backs of removing fluoride from municipality water sources.
Water Fluoridation Principles and Practices by Call Number: OnlineISBN: 1583213112Publication Date: 2004-06-15This manual presents guidelines to assist decision makers in planning fluoridation installation, engineers in designing them, and water utility personnel in operating them. This fifth edition incorporates updates in areas such as health effects, state and federal regulations, and defluoridation trea
Fluoride in Drinking Water by Call Number: RA591.7 .F556 2006 (Gerstein)ISBN: 9780309101288Publication Date: 2007-01-05Most people associate fluoride with the practice of intentionally adding fluoride to public drinking water supplies for the prevention of tooth decay. However, fluoride can also enter public water systems from natural sources, including runoff from the weathering of fluoride-containing rocks and soils and leaching from soil into groundwater. Fluoride pollution from various industrial emissions can also contaminate water supplies. In a few areas of the United States fluoride concentrations in water are much higher than normal, mostly from natural sources. Fluoride is one of the drinking water contaminants regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) because it can occur at these toxic levels. In 1986, the EPA established a maximum allowable concentration for fluoride in drinking water of 4 milligrams per litre, a guideline designed to prevent the public from being exposed to harmful levels of fluoride. exposure to fluoride, including studies conducted in the last 10 years.- A systematic review of public water fluoridation byCall Number: RA591.7 .S97 2000Publication Date: 2000Members of the University of York, University of Wales, and University of Leicester create a systematic review of public water fluoridation. This is a great resource if you're looking for evidence for and against fluoridation up to the year 2000.
Health Effects of Ingested Fluoride by Call Number: RA591.7 .H42 1993ISBN: 030904975XPublication Date: 1993-08-01This book is by the Subcommittee on Health Effects of Ingested Fluoride of the Committee of Toxicology, National Research Council in the US. It's meant to address some of the concerns that members of the public have in regards to fluoridation. It outlines the evidence for dental fluorosis, bone fracture, reproductive effects, effects on renal gastrointestinal and immune systems, genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, and effects on metabolism.- Appropriate Use of Fluorides for Human Health byCall Number: RA591.7 .A67 1986ISBN: 9241542039Publication Date: 1986-01-01This book outlines the effect of water fluoridation in the decrease of tooth decay. It compares water fluoridation to alternatives such as salt fluoridation, dietary supplements, topical fluorides, etc. It provides recommendations of the FDI/WHO/Kellogg Foundation Conference on Fluorides
- Criteria document in support of a drinking water standard in fluoride : final report byCall Number: RA591.7 .C25 DENTPublication Date: 1979
