Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - It's been nearly a year since The Buffalo News reported there has been little-to-no fluoride in Buffalo's water supply since 2015, a fact that has concerned members of the public and local government a great deal.
Local government and the community still have no answers as to when the fluoride might be returning, which is why a group of our area's leading dentists returned to Buffalo Common Council chambers during Wednesday's Community Development Committee Meeting.
"It's been nine years now, nine years since the improper percentage of fluoride has been in the water, nine years. That's a generation of children and adults who haven't had fluoride in the water," said Dr. Brendan Dowd, former president of the New York State Dental Association and Board Trustee of the American Dental Association.
"Sometimes it's the first line of defense for some kids who can't either get to the dentist or can't afford a dentist. At this point, there's been less than one part per million of fluoride in the water over the last eight years. I have sent these [facts] to the council members as well as the Brown administration, many studies our association have sent that proves the effectiveness of fluoride at the right percentage, which is seven parts per million."
According to University District Councilman Rasheed Wyatt, the city promised the public that fluoride in the water would return to necessary levels by the end of 2023, but that has yet to happen.
Councilman Wyatt also mentions the lawsuits being brought against the city on the lack of fluoride should not be used as a deterrent on sharing with the public a proper timetable on the return of fluoridation.
"The conversations that I've had with some of the members is that there should have been some statement given to the residents of the City of Buffalo, even though there is a pending lawsuit but you could still tell people that we're looking at restoring that at some point in time, it's going to be restored."
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The dentists testifying before the council emphasized the importance of children receiving the proper fluoridation in their water.
"Dental decay is the No. 1 chronic disease of childhood," noted Dr. Amanda Cryan, President of the Erie County Dental Society.
"Dental cavities can cause pain, infection, and lead to missed school days and even hospitalization. Studies show that having access to fluoridated water decreases a child's risk of having cavities by 26 to 35%. For children, fluoridated drinking water has a dual benefit both topical and systemic. Fluoridated water, by drinking it, children can not only protect their teeth that are in their mouth but also forming in their bodies. This helps their teeth develop stronger and when their permanent teeth develop, they have a little more protection from cavities."
"Going forward, let's get the fluoride back in the water," summarized Pat Polowy, a retired nurse practitioner and representative of the 8th District Dental Society.
"I know there's a lot of red tape to cut through, but let's get it cut up and do everything we can to just get the job done. Let's go. Let's also systematically get the word out to all our families, the notification was sent to property owners not to families, let's do things such as door-to-door literature drops that we did so effectively at the beginning of the pandemic. Let's keep our families updated through press releases, through PSAs and via the monthly newsletters that you send to your constituents. Let's keep the healthcare community informed and updated as well."
The Common Council has now drafted a letter to send to the Buffalo Water Board for a timeframe on when fluoridation will be restored.
"I know that we need to have greater transparency in this process," said Councilman Wyatt. "I think the council has asked for someone to come and speak to us, and then because there was a lawsuit, they hid behind that. But it's about public welfare. We should be very pronounced in speaking about this issue. The public is being hurt by this, and we must do something about it."