Monday evening, Jim Powers from the Indiana State Board of Health appeared before the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety to speak about fluoridation in the community’s water system.

He said, “I came to show the Indiana State Departments of Health’s support for water fluoridation.” He told members it’s been around for 71 years. It started in Indiana in1951 and in Plymouth in 1969.

Powers said, “There have been lots of studies, over 3,000 nationally showing that it’s effective reducing dental decay. Not only the amount of decay but the severity of decay. Plus it’s been shown to be safe and cost effective.”

Statistically about 95% of Indiana’s population is on public water supply compared to 76% nationally. Powers said, “Fluoridation is supported by all the major medical and scientific health organizations.”

The CDC says 40% of the population doesn’t go to the dentist annually thus the benefits of fluoridation in the water helps low income families.

Council members Jeff Houin and Mike Delp have a strong commitment to maintaining the benefit of fluoridation to the children and adults who drink city water.