ADA NSW was recently informed that Mid-Western Regional Council’s Mudgee water fluoridation plant ceased dosing in June 2020. This means that the community water supply covering Mudgee has not been fluoridated since that time.
 
ADA NSW acknowledges that Council reported this issue to NSW Health on the day the fluoridation plant ceased dosing. ADA NSW has also been informed by Council it is working to introduce a new water fluoridation dosing system. A summary of fluoride dosing records is publicly available within the Annual Drinking Water Quality Reports, published on its website here 
 
The maintenance of community water fluoridation systems is complex, especially in rural regions. There are many factors that can lead to discontinuations in fluoridation including equipment failures and lack of technical expertise to carry out the required daily assessments and reporting. ADA NSW understands these complexities and supports both Council and NSW Ministry of Health efforts to remediate the disruption.
 
ADA NSW supports water fluoridation as an important, safe, proven and cost-effective way of contributing to the overall oral health of the community, especially children and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.   The effects that disruptions to water fluoridation have on the dental health of the local community are of major concern to the dental profession.

During times when fluoridation of the water supply has been discontinued, it is important that local dental practitioners are informed so that other methods of prevention can be advocated within the community.

These would include measures such as ensuring that twice daily toothbrushing with a fluoride toothpaste is prioritised and that other preventive measures such as shorter recall periods and in-office preventive treatments are instituted. Please refer here for current guidelines of fluoride use in both fluoridated and non-fluoridated communities.
 
ADA NSW also has water fluoridation information on its website, which we urge you to refer the local community to. Please click here for more information.
 
ADA NSW will remain in contact with both NSW Health and the Council to receive updates on this situation and will keep you informed.
 
On behalf of everyone at ADA NSW, thank you for your ongoing membership and valued support.