S'pore will continue to put fluoride in drinking water supply: Khaw
Posted: 27 April 2010 2103 hrs
SINGAPORE: Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan says Singapore will continue to put fluoride in its drinking water supply as it is an effective way to fight tooth decay.
He said this in a written reply to MP for Marine Parade GRC, Mr Seah Kian Peng.
Mr Seah had asked whether putting fluoride in the drinking supply is still necessary to prevent dental caries.
He also asked about the current percentage of developed countries that still fluoridate their water supply and the empirical experience in Singapore on the levels of dental caries.
Mr Khaw said Singapore started putting fluoride into its water supply in 1954.
"Our experts in the Fluoride Review Committee have recommended that we should continue to do so," he said.
First, it has been effective in reducing dental caries.
Second, research by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has shown that fluoride is most effective in preventing dental caries if a low level of fluoride is constantly present in the mouth.
Mr Khaw said while Singaporeans today have access to more sources of fluoride, such as fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses, these products are not used by everyone.
He said water fluoridation remains the most cost-effective preventive public health measure for tooth decay.
Third, the Cochrane Collaboration Oral Health Group, an international expert group, has studied allegations of health risk due to water fluoridation.
"They found no evidence of such an allegation, so long as the water fluoridation is kept within a certain fluoride concentration level," said Mr Khaw.
Mr Khaw said the latest WHO guideline prescribes it at 1.5 mg per litre.
"In Singapore, we have over the years progressively reduced our fluoridation level to its current concentration level of 0.6mg per litre in our tap water. This is well within the WHO's prescribed safety level," he said.
Some 40 countries, including the US, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland have water fluoridation schemes in place.
Singapore's Fluoride Review Committee meets regularly to review the appropriate and safe concentration level of fluoride in drinking water.
Mr Khaw said their conclusion was that dental fluorosis is not prevalent in Singapore, and is only of minor aesthetic concern.
Dental fluorosis is a health condition caused by a child receiving too much fluoride during tooth development.
In its mild form, it appears as tiny white streaks or specks that are often unnoticeable.
In its severe form, it is characterized by black and brown stains, as well as cracking and pitting of the teeth.
- CNA/jy
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1052918/1/.html
when people are out of jobs, suffering from more pertinent issues, this guy comes and talks about fluoride in the water.
Originally posted by Rock^Star:when people are out of jobs, suffering from more pertinent issues, this guy comes and talks about fluoride in the water.
That is because this is the only problem he can solve. Great to divert attention from the more impt probs of course.
One Word....
Pap minister is in Denial......
Originally posted by Rock^Star:so actually we are alrdy drinking sai zhui.
Agreed.
Originally posted by CheckmateA1:S'pore will continue to put fluoride in drinking water supply: Khaw
Posted: 27 April 2010 2103 hrsSINGAPORE: Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan says Singapore will continue to put fluoride in its drinking water supply as it is an effective way to fight tooth decay.
He said this in a written reply to MP for Marine Parade GRC, Mr Seah Kian Peng.
Mr Seah had asked whether putting fluoride in the drinking supply is still necessary to prevent dental caries.
He also asked about the current percentage of developed countries that still fluoridate their water supply and the empirical experience in Singapore on the levels of dental caries.
Mr Khaw said Singapore started putting fluoride into its water supply in 1954.
"Our experts in the Fluoride Review Committee have recommended that we should continue to do so," he said.
First, it has been effective in reducing dental caries.
Second, research by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has shown that fluoride is most effective in preventing dental caries if a low level of fluoride is constantly present in the mouth.
Mr Khaw said while Singaporeans today have access to more sources of fluoride, such as fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses, these products are not used by everyone.
He said water fluoridation remains the most cost-effective preventive public health measure for tooth decay.
Third, the Cochrane Collaboration Oral Health Group, an international expert group, has studied allegations of health risk due to water fluoridation.
"They found no evidence of such an allegation, so long as the water fluoridation is kept within a certain fluoride concentration level," said Mr Khaw.
Mr Khaw said the latest WHO guideline prescribes it at 1.5 mg per litre.
"In Singapore, we have over the years progressively reduced our fluoridation level to its current concentration level of 0.6mg per litre in our tap water. This is well within the WHO's prescribed safety level," he said.
Some 40 countries, including the US, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland have water fluoridation schemes in place.
Singapore's Fluoride Review Committee meets regularly to review the appropriate and safe concentration level of fluoride in drinking water.
Mr Khaw said their conclusion was that dental fluorosis is not prevalent in Singapore, and is only of minor aesthetic concern.
Dental fluorosis is a health condition caused by a child receiving too much fluoride during tooth development.
In its mild form, it appears as tiny white streaks or specks that are often unnoticeable.
In its severe form, it is characterized by black and brown stains, as well as cracking and pitting of the teeth.
- CNA/jyhttp://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1052918/1/.html
Long live NeWater...... LOL.
actually, there are abundant supply of underground water if only we start digging.
I believe we already have connected the unground sources to malaysia and the water we got now is free. No need for renewing the agreement.
In PRC we drink filter water( actually, in sg we are lucky that water is dinkable from the tap) and spend hundreds to replace the filters each yr.
Originally posted by Junyang700:We have been ripping Malaysia off for like 50 years. LOL... Like what Rock^Star say.
Its based on a very old old contract with the British Government. The water is cheap like dirt. =)
Expect to see our bills come up soon, with higher costs to convert shit into water. LOL..
when the pap gets voted out in the next election you may see the prices of water in singapore dropping
Originally posted by eugene_ang:when the pap gets voted out in the next election you may see the prices of water in singapore dropping
and we may get more infected water thru improper sterilisation
Originally posted by CheckmateA1:S'pore will continue to put fluoride in drinking water supply: Khaw
Posted: 27 April 2010 2103 hrsSINGAPORE: Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan says Singapore will continue to put fluoride in its drinking water supply as it is an effective way to fight tooth decay.
He said this in a written reply to MP for Marine Parade GRC, Mr Seah Kian Peng.
Mr Seah had asked whether putting fluoride in the drinking supply is still necessary to prevent dental caries.
He also asked about the current percentage of developed countries that still fluoridate their water supply and the empirical experience in Singapore on the levels of dental caries.
Mr Khaw said Singapore started putting fluoride into its water supply in 1954.
"Our experts in the Fluoride Review Committee have recommended that we should continue to do so," he said.
First, it has been effective in reducing dental caries.
Second, research by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has shown that fluoride is most effective in preventing dental caries if a low level of fluoride is constantly present in the mouth.
Mr Khaw said while Singaporeans today have access to more sources of fluoride, such as fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses, these products are not used by everyone.
He said water fluoridation remains the most cost-effective preventive public health measure for tooth decay.
Third, the Cochrane Collaboration Oral Health Group, an international expert group, has studied allegations of health risk due to water fluoridation.
"They found no evidence of such an allegation, so long as the water fluoridation is kept within a certain fluoride concentration level," said Mr Khaw.
Mr Khaw said the latest WHO guideline prescribes it at 1.5 mg per litre.
"In Singapore, we have over the years progressively reduced our fluoridation level to its current concentration level of 0.6mg per litre in our tap water. This is well within the WHO's prescribed safety level," he said.
Some 40 countries, including the US, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland have water fluoridation schemes in place.
Singapore's Fluoride Review Committee meets regularly to review the appropriate and safe concentration level of fluoride in drinking water.
Mr Khaw said their conclusion was that dental fluorosis is not prevalent in Singapore, and is only of minor aesthetic concern.
Dental fluorosis is a health condition caused by a child receiving too much fluoride during tooth development.
In its mild form, it appears as tiny white streaks or specks that are often unnoticeable.
In its severe form, it is characterized by black and brown stains, as well as cracking and pitting of the teeth.
- CNA/jyhttp://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1052918/1/.html
More dirty water for us...... We got OWNED.
*400th post*