FLUORIDE COMBINES WITH ALUMINIUM IN DRINKING WATER.

Friday, June 11, 1999 12:46:13 PM

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The Health Department, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Dental Association, today announced a promotional effort and grant program to increase use of fluoride in community water systems to help prevent tooth decay.

Grants will be available to enable non-fluoridated community water systems to help cover the costs of converting to a fluoridated system.

"More than 50 years of research and water fluoridation for more than 134 million Americans have proven that fluoridation is safe, inexpensive and very effective in preventing tooth decay," said Charles M. Ludwig, public health dentist with the department's Oral Health Program. "The Health Department and the Pennsylvania Dental Association urge local officials, concerned citizens and health professionals in communities with fluoride- deficient water systems to take action to promote the use of fluoride. The Fluoride Grant Program can help them accomplish that goal."

Approximately $300,000 will be available under the grant program. The Fluoride Grant Program funds grants from $5,000 to $30,000 to fluoride-deficient water systems in Pennsylvania, based upon the population served and the number of points through which treated water enters a distribution system.

Additional information is available from Caroline Power Gangl, director of communications for the Pennsylvania Dental Association, by calling 717-234-5941 or by e-mailing cpg@padental.org. Or contact Jack McGettigan or Evelyn Tatkovski, 717-787-1783, of the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Health
http://www.health.state.pa.us/floride.htm

Last modified: 12 June 1999

http://www.actionpa.org/fluoride/pagrant.html