Media Source: The Coonabarabran Times
Date Published: 10 February 2022
Seven years a charm for fluoride
Going on seven years and Coonabarabran and the wider Warrumbungle Shire still has no functioning equipment to deliver fluoride to the drinking water.
Fluoridation of Coonabarabran’s drinking water was ceased in 2015 due to problems that occurred with design faults in the fluoride delivery system.
The Coonabarabran Times contacted NSW Health almost 12 months ago in regards to the situation. At the time a spokesperson said the system was only temporarily shut down and they expected it to be in operation sometime in 2021.
Now, two months into 2022, and a new delivery system is still nowhere to be seen.
The Coonabarabran Times contacted NSW Health again recently for an update, with the department blaming the COVID-19 pandemic for the significant delay.
NSW Health continues to work with Warrumbungle Shire Council on the issue of water fluoridation, which can support improved oral health for local communities,” the NSW Health spokesperson said.
“Progress towards resuming water fluoridation was delayed in 2020 and 2021 due to restrictions placed across the state to protect communities from COVID-19.
Construction of the new fluoridation system is expected to proceed this year and NSW Health will support the Council to address the underlying failures of the previous system.”
Almost 12 months ago Dr Jun Hur, from Experteeth Dental in Coonabarabran, warned he expected to see a dramatic increase in patients in the coming years if the fluoridation issue wasn’t addressed.
He said the lack of fluoride in the water would more likely affect children in the area and their developing teeth.
Dr Hur said he was aware of a resistance to put the chemical in the drinking water from certain members of the community, but insisted it was the best option to prevent decay.
“I know there is some mistrust out there involving the chemical,” he said.
“In my opinion, fluoride is the best proven chemical that prevents decay.”
“In my knowledge and in all the study I have done I have not come across any credible research that says fluoride (administered correctly) is harmful.”
Dr Hur said towns with fluoridated water supplies had 25-40% better health than those without.
