Frequently Asked Questions about Fluoride
Fluoride protects tooth enamel against the acids that cause tooth decay. We have added fluoride to our water since 1956.
If you have concerns about your water other than fluoride, please refer to the Water Quality FAQs.
- We add fluoride to Winnipeg's water supply as a public health measure to prevent tooth decay and promote dental health.
- Water fluoridation is promoted by dental health and health organizations including Health Canada, Manitoba Health and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognizes water fluoridation as one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.
- No. There are no licensing or regulatory requirements that mandate us to add fluoride.
- We have been adding fluoride since 1956 under City Council's authority.
- We add fluoride according to the direction provided by Manitoba Health.
- Read more on the Provincial dental health program.
- Yes. The Province of Manitoba requires that we have a strict monitoring program to ensure the level of fluoride in the water is appropriate.
- We have received an award of excellence for the fluoride program from Manitoba Health for a number of years.
- There are no known adverse health effects with adding fluoride at levels less than the National Guideline of 1.5 mg/L, and Winnipeg's dose is 0.7 mg/L, which is the optimal level.
- In January 2007, Health Canada convened an expert panel on water fluoridation which concluded that "community drinking water fluoridation is still an effective public health method to reduce the prevalence of dental caries in the Canadian population."
- The approximate cost for the fluoridation program in 2012 was $250,000, or about $0.35 per person.
Last updated: August 7, 2018