Stakeholders

On Tuesday, May 28th 2013, I had an interview with the head hygienist, Lisa, at Beach Road Dental in Innisfil, Ontario.  We discussed her opinion and Dr. Shelley Patton's (professional dentist at Beach Road Dental) opinion on the fluoridation of drinking water.  One thing she said really stuck out to me:

"Fluoride is a great thing when used properly."

Lisa then went into further detail, explaining why both her and Dr. Shelley Patton are against the idea of fluoridating drinking water.  She said that one source of fluoride is adequate.  Fluoride is naturally occurring foods, drinks, and you receive fluoride at dental check-ups.  The ingestion of too much fluoride leads to something called fluorosis.  Lisa then said:

"Fluoridation is not needed is fluoridated toothpaste is used.  This leads to fluorosis."

I was also informed that even where there is no fluoride added to the water, patients often come in with fluorosis.  For example, Lisa says she sees many patients in Innisfil with fluorosis.


The ingestion of fluoride can also lead to something called skeletal fluorosis.  The fluoride travels throughout the body and when it reaches the bones, does the same as it would do to the teeth.  I was the told that this is why the dentists advise that children use toothpaste without fluoride, because children tend to swallow their toothpaste.



Other Stakeholders:

• doctor (skeletal fluorosis) – when patients go for x-rays, doctors may notice a difference in the appearance of the bone. This would lead to more frequent visits.
• those in water treatment jobs – extra steps are required to add the compound from which the fluoride ion comes from.
• Citizens – despite the fact that fluoride provides citizens with the prevention of tooth decay, fluoride can greatly affect all members of the family. Parents can control what they use in terms of the purchase of items with fluoride (toothpaste, mouth wash, etc). Children however, use what they have. They are not aware of the threats and results of using fluoride. Parents buy children non-fluoridated toothpaste to reduce their intake of fluoride. Adding fluoride to the water also costs money. This would raise one's taxes.
  
  
• animals do not have an opinion, however, they too are affected by water fluoridation. The most affected animals are livestock, mostly cattle. Their bones and tissues are affected in a negative manor.

•