Mr. McNamara discussed the science behind the Oral Health Report and the experience and expertise of the medical professionals of the Windsor Essex County Health Unit. He noted that although the issue of municipal water fluoridation was controversial, he believed the issue should seriously be considered by the lower tier Councils. He noted that there may be legislative changes that will mandate the addition or cessation of fluoridation. He noted that it was important to base decisions on science and not on fear and speculation. He advised that dental issues are directly related to other health complications, including physical and mental health, therefore good oral health should not be taken for granted.
Mr. Fazio thanked all the delegations for their presentations and expressed that it is not an issue exclusively in Essex-Windsor. He noted that if the issue of fluoridation was a certainty, the Province would be legislating it.
Mr. McNamara questioned whether other municipalities that had removed fluoride from their water systems had re-introduced it? Dr. Wajid indicated that there have been re-introductions.
Mr. Antaya questioned whether communities without fluoridation have greater instances of poor oral health? Dr. Wajid indicated that the findings are inconsistent with fluoridation.
Mr. Antaya questioned whether there had been any follow up contact with the Province regarding the fluoridation inquiries? Dr. Wajid indicated that Minister Hoskins had expressed his support for municipal water fluoridation, but had not put forward a Ministry of Health position. Mr. Antaya expressed that the opinion of Minister Hoskins isn't the same as getting concrete direction or legislated instruction from the Province.
Mr. Queen expressed that the issue was not only with regard to fluoridation, but with good oral health in general. He stated that no child should be suffering from dental related pain and that it was the responsibility of the government to ensure the health of its citizens was protected and that the Healthy Smiles Ontario program should continue to be funded and further programs and public education for young children was necessary.
Mr. McDermott expressed his opposition to exposing at-risk individuals with fluoridated water.
Mr. Santos noted that there is no cost benefit to fluoridation in some communities, since the technology to fluoridate is not currently installed in the water treatment plants and would be very expensive to do so. He noted that there was, however, still some important value in the three (3) other recommendations contained in the Oral Health Report and that those initiatives should be provincially funded.
Mr. Bachetti expressed that municipalities need provincial direction on the issue of fluoridation.
Ms. MacDonald expressed that County Council was not the body that makes the decisions regarding municipal water so it should not be discussing the issue. She further expressed that provincial intervention on a municipal issue was not ideal as municipalities need to be aware of implications to their businesses and residents and the decision to fluoridate should rest exclusively with them.