Fluoridation Updates
Five Fluoride Facts (PDF 164 KB)
Common Fluoride Myths (PDF 166 KB)
Fluoride The Missing Link (PDF 179 KB)
Commonly Asked Questions (PDF 209 KB)
Historic Day for Dentistry in Queensland
The Government's announcement on 1 December 2008 that the staged introduction of fluoride into Queensland's water supplies had commenced on the Gold Coast was a momentous day in the history of dentistry in Queensland. The Australian Dental Association Queensland (ADAQ) has campaigned since 1953 to have fluoride introduced into Queensland's drinking supplies.
"Whilst it will take time for the real effects to filter through, today is the dawn of a new era for Queensland. Children's teeth in Queensland will, in the future, be stronger with much less decay," said ADAQ President Dr John Wills.
ADAQ applauds Premier Anna Bligh's ongoing commitment to the roll-out of fluoridation into Queensland's water supplies.
Fluoride Supplements
Parents are advised that children will no longer need fluoride tablets, drops or lozenges with the introduction of water fluoridation in south east Queensland over the next four weeks. As town water is progressively fluoridated, parents no longer need to provide these supplements and should cease the practice. By 31 December 2008 these SEQ major water treatment plants will be fluoridated: Mt Crosby (2 plants), Landers Shute, Molendinar, Mudgeeraba and North Pine.
8 July 2008 (Queensland Health)
State's Fluoridation Roll-Out Moving Forward
The Bligh Government is set to announce the Infrastructure Project Management Group (IPMG) of contractors to manage the introduction of fluoridation to regional water supplies from 2009. This follows nationwide advertising calling for tenders to assist regional councils in the delivery of dosing plants to introduce fluoride into the water supplies. The IPMG will administer the process of selecting a pre-qualified list of suppliers to oversee the design, supply and installation of fluoridation plant and equipment at existing Water Treatment Plants outside of South East Queensland which are not currently fluoridating water. The initial focus in 2009 for the IPMG will be the fluoridation of major regional centres and indigenous communities' water supplies from 2009 to 2012.
Seqwater will be responsible for the initial roll-out of six major fluoridation plants Molendinar, Mudgeeraba, Mt Crosby (east and west), North Pine and Landers Shute by the end of 2008.
Free fact sheets on water fluoridation can be ordered online through the Queensland Government Bookshop www.bookshop.qld.gov.au/home.aspx. Go to 'Browse Catalogue' and look under 'health - oral health'. There is no cost for postage and handling.
14 March 2008 (Minister for Health)
Time-table for Phasing Water Fluoridation into Water Treatment Plants
2008: SEQ major water treatment plants - Mt Crosby (2 plants), Landers Shute (Sunshine Coast), Molendinar, Mudgeeraba and North Pine (54% estimated state coverage).
2009: SEQ minor water treatment plants, Indigenous communities, commencement of Cairns, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton and Toowoomba Regional (80% estimated coverage).
2010: Completion of Cairns, Gladstone, Mackay and Rockhampton; Fraser, Gympie, Somerset, South Burnett, Southern Downs, commencement of Dalby (83% estimated coverage).
2011: Blackall, Emerald, Dalby completion, Goondiwindi, Hinchinbrook, Longreach, Mornington, Mt Isa, Murweh, North Burnett, Rio Tinto (Weipa), Tablelands, Whitsunday (92% coverage).
2012: Balonne, Banana, Barcaldine, Bundaberg, Burdekin, Carpentaria, Charters Towers, Cassowary, Cloncurry, Flinders, Isaac, Roma, Toowoomba Regional completion (95% coverage).