Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Gives Illinois Communities Top Honors for Maintaining Fluoride Levels
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 19, 2010
Contact
Alicia Ekhoff, Program Coordinator
(217) 531-4538
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Gives Illinois Communities Top Honors for Maintaining Fluoride Levels
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District applauds local measures to improve overall community health.
Champaign, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) Children’s Dental Clinic recognized eight community water systems for maintaining state-mandated fluoride levels every month in 2009. State-recommended fluoride levels are 0.9 to 1.2 parts per million, in standard drinking water.
The community water systems recognized included:
- Dewey Public Water District, 2 consecutive years
- Fisher Water Department, 2 consecutive years
- Gifford Water Department, 2 consecutive years
- IL American Water Co. Champaign, 26 consecutive years
- Mahomet Water Department, 2 consecutive years
- Ogden Water Department
- Rantoul Water Department
- Royal Water Department, 4 consecutive years
Fluoride in drinking water helps improve the quality of life through less tooth decay; reduced time lost from school and work; and less money spent to restore, remove or replace decayed teeth. In Illinois, 99 percent of those served by public water systems receive the benefit of fluoridated drinking water, compared to the current national average of 72 percent. Fluoride is found naturally in water, but in many communities the amount of the mineral is too low and does not meet the required standards. Water operators will add fluoride to fulfill optimal health benefits to the communities. Of the 1,850 water supplies in Illinois, 853 systems adjust fluoride levels.
Illinois communities have practiced water fluoridation for more than 60 years and fluoride continues to prove beneficial in the battle against tooth decay. In fact, drinking fluoridated water from birth can reduce tooth decay by 40 to 65 percent.
“Water fluoridation is a proven way to prevent tooth decay and improve overall oral health for both children and adults,” said Alicia Ekhoff, Dental Program Coordinator for CUPHD. “CUPHD appreciates the care that these local water companies are taking to ensure better oral health for the members of their communities.”
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District’s Dental Division provides a dental home for Champaign and Urbana children covered by All Kids or Medicaid State Insurance beginning at 1 year of age. Appointments are available by calling 217-531-4279. Children enrolled in the Urbana School District may also be seen at the Urbana School Health Center located in the Urbana High School, 217-239-4220.
For more information on the importance of fluoride in drinking water or any CUPHD service, please call (217) 352-7961 or visit CUPHD on the web at www.c-uphd.org.
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