Small Town News

Towner water system wins award

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The North Dakota Department of Public Health announced today that the Towner water system has been awarded a 2008 Water Fluoridation Quality Award from the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fluoridation is the adjustment of fluoride in the water level that is optimal for preventing tooth decay. The award recognizes those communities that have maintained a consistent level of optimally fluoridated water for the calendar year.

Community water fluoridation has been recognized by CDC as one of the ten great public health achievements of the 20th Century. Currently, more than 184 million people, or 69.2 percent of the United States population served by public water supplies, drink water with optimal fluoride levels for preventing tooth decay. CDC recommends water fluoridation as a safe, effective, and inexpensive method of preventing tooth decay, and studies have shown that it is effective for preventing tooth decay in people of all ages. In addition, fluoridating a community's water supplies is one of the most effective public health measure - every $1 invested in fluoridation saves approximately $38 in cost s for dental treatment.

"Tooth (decay continues to be an important public health problem that affects many Americans, particularly those of lower income and those of some racial and ethnic groups," sated Dr. Kathleen Ethier, PhD, Acting Director of the CDC Division or Oral Health. "Fluoridating a community's water supplies is one of the most effective and equitable steps that a community can take to improve the health of all their citizens."



Copyright 2009 Mouse River Journal, Towner, North Dakota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2010 Mouse River Journal Towner, North Dakota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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