The Prince George Safe Water Coalition is chomping at the bit to present its opinions on whether or not to pump fluoride into drinking water.
Marilyn Juds, founder and research co-ordinator with the coalition, said three events have been planned for residents to hear why guest, Dr. James Beck, University of Calgary, believes it is not healthy to have fluoride in the water supply.
Beck is a researcher in cell biology and pharmcokinetics (distribution of drugs in the body) and the co-author of the book The Case Against Fluoride along with co-authors Dr. Paul Connett and Dr. H.S. Micklem.
Beck was instrumental in Calgary in leading city council to vote 10 to three in favour of ridding Calgary's water supply of fluoride.
The first printing was September, 2010 and can be purchased at Books and Company.
Beck will be at a book signing event April 2 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Books and Company.
Beck will lead a public forum April 3 from 2 to 4 p.m. at CNC's lecture room 1-306. Dr. David Bowering, Northern Health chief medical officer, will also be a guest. There will be a debate on the issue with David Fuller moderating questions from participants.
On April 4 Beck will be a guest speaker at Prince George City Council meeting beginning at 7 p.m.
Prince George dentist Richard Wilczek said he's among about 98 per cent of dentists that support fluoride in the water supply.
"I'm a long-time supporter of fluoride," said Wilczek who grew up in Prince George.
"We see the difference daily when people come in from outlying communities without fluoride. Children are missing a lot more baby teeth and the patients growing up with fluoridated water have fewer and smaller fillings, and usually, only on the biting surface, and not between the teeth.
"I can tell right away whether a patient has had the benefit of fluoride in the water."
He added that 95 per cent of studies done on the fluoride issue "show no ill effects on people," despite the many who associate it with diseases.
"It's never been proven that there's any connection between fluoride in the water and diseases like multiple sclerosis," he said.
Juds said a study from 1999 to 2006 in child development centres in the U.S. found increased cases of dental fluorosis (staining and pitting of tooth enamel) among teenage and Black Americans.
