Mexico Water District wins award

MEXICO -- The Maine Center for Disease Control (CDC) announced recently that the Mexico Water District system has been awarded a Water Fluoridation Quality Award from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Fluoridation is the adjustment of fluoride in the water to a level that is optimal for preventing tooth decay. The award recognizes those communities that maintained a consistent level of optimally fluoridated water throughout 2011. Mexico Water District is one of the 48 systems in Maine to receive this award.

For 2011, a total of 2500 water systems in 33 states received these awards, a significant increase in the number of participating states and water systems that received awards in previous years.

“We are pleased that more states and communities than ever have achieved this measure of excellence in their water fluoridation programs,” stated Dr. William Bailey, DDS, MPH, acting director of the US CDC Division of Oral Health. “Community water fluoridation is one of the most effective means available for avoiding tooth decay, preventing at least 25% of tooth decay in children and adults.”

The Maine CDC‘s director, Dr. Sheila Pinette, noted the ability of water operators in Maine to keep fluoride levels “right where they need to be” for optimum benefits, and the demonstration of quality service in helping to improve the overall health of people living in Maine communities.

Community water fluoridation has been recognized by CDC as one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th Century.

Currently, nearly three-quarters (73.9 percent) – or 204 million people – served by community water systems have access to optimally fluoridated tap water. CDC recommends water fluoridation as a safe, effective, and inexpensive method of preventing decay. In fact, every $1 invested in fluoridation saves at least $38 in costs for dental treatment.