Whether London should continue to add fluoride to the city's water supply will be back up for debate at city hall next week.
Middlesex London's Medical Officer of Health Dr. Chris Mackie will go before the civic works committee Tuesday to push politicians to continue the practice.
"Water fluoridation is safe and improves and promotes the oral health of all residents, regardless of their socioeconomic status or whether they have dental insurance," Mackie states in a presentation to be heard by committee members.
He will argue that if water fluoridation is discontinued, London would see at least 40,000 additional cavities over the next 10 years.
Opponents of the practice have long said it poses serious health risks to the public, but Mackie will reject those claims.
"There is no evidence to support a link between exposure to fluoride in drinking water at the levels used in London and any adverse health effects, such as any types of cancer, developmental defects, neurobehavioral effects, or genotoxicity," according to Mackie.
He will recommend that the city continue to add fluoride to the water supply at the optimal level of 0.6 mg/L – 0.8 milligrams a litre.
Nearly 20 people are scheduled to weigh in on the topic before the committee.
Fluoridation was last up for public debate at city hall in 2012.
