Water Fluoridation Notice - September 2005

UPDATE: See the October 2005 Notice of New Fluoridation Date

Fluoride Added to Local Water Supplies

Memo from Dr. Urmi Amin, DDS MS:

As part of our continuing commitment towards the needs and treatment of the children of our community, we are forwarding this Health Advisory from the San Mateo Health Services Agency regarding the fluoridation of the drinking water in San Mateo County that will be taking place this September 2005.

As advised by the Health Services Agency of San Mateo, the prescription fluoride supplements for children should be discontinued once the drinking water is fluoridated. Please see below to see if your area is included in this fluoridation.

For additional information concerning the areas that will begin receiving fluoridated water, please call your water provider. Click on the following links to see a list of water providers and a map of the areas receiving fluoridated water.

If you have any questions regarding your child's prescription for fluoride supplements, please call your child's dentist, pediatrician or the Health Services Agency of San Mateo at (650) 372-8572.

Public Health Fax Advisory from the Health Services Agency of San Mateo County

TO: Healthcare Providers, Dental Care Providers, and Pharmacists

FR: Scott Morrow, MD, MPH, San Mateo County Public Health Officer

This notice is being sent to advise healthcare providers, dental care providers and pharmacists that drinking water supplied to water utilities in San Mateo County, will be fluoridated to optimal levels beginning in September 2005. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) has supplied fluoridated water to all residents of San Francisco and to the majority of water customers in San Mateo County since the early 1950s. With the completion of a system-wide fluoridation facility, almost all San Mateo County residents who were not already receiving fluoridated water from the SFPUC will now have optimal levels of fluoride in the drinking water.

Drinking optimally fluoridated water on a regular basis makes the use of fluoride tablets or drops unnecessary. Please note prescription fluoride supplements for children should be discontinued once their drinking water is fluoridated.

The natural levels of fluoride will be adjusted by the SFPUC to the recommended optimum level of 0.8 to 1.0 mg/L, set by the California Department of Health Services. At this level, fluoridation has proven to be safe and effective in preventing tooth decay. Customers will not notice a change in the taste, smell or appearance of their water.

The passage of AB733 in 1995 and SB96 in 2004 mandates California water purveyors to fluoridate their systems, subject to funding availability.

Local, state and national public health organizations support fluoridation, including the San Mateo Health Department, the California Department of Health Services, the California Dental Association, the Dental Health Foundation, the American Medical Association and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

If individuals would like additional information, or have questions concerning the areas that will being receiving fluoridated water, they may call their water provider or visit the SFPUC at www.sfwater.org/fluoride.

Inquiries regarding the public health issues of fluoridation and fluoride supplements may be directed to the San Mateo Health Department at (650) 372-8572. Further health-related information is available at California Department of Health Services or the American Dental Association.