Bill Focused on Dental Health of School-Aged Children Passes Committee on Rules and Judiciary

A bill that seeks to establish a full dental program in public schools while lowering the required minimum amount of fluoride in fresh water distributed for public consumption was approved in the Committee on Rules and Judiciary on Tuesday.

The measure lowers the required minimum amount of fluoride from not less than eight-tenths of one milligram per liter to not less than seven-tenths. "This level is set to promote public health benefits of fluoride for preventing tooth decay while minimizing the chance for dental fluorosis and other side-effects of excessive fluoride intake," according to a summary of the bill.

"Tooth decay is the most chronic childhood disease, even more common than asthma, and impacts a child’s ability to carry out normal everyday activities," said Senator Novelle Francis, who sponsored the measure. He said a “growing body of research have identified a connection between oral and chronic diseases such as Alzheimer's, diabetes and other serious conditions that are affecting millions of people.”

The senator said that on a national level, research shows school-based fluorization programs reduce the incident of childhood decay by 30 percent.”

The measure is an "attempt for us to be able to ensure that there is a fluoride rinse in our school environment from K-3, specifically," Mr. Francis told colleagues. "What we are trying to do is make sure we’re minimizing the opportunity for tooth decay throughout our youngsters. We know that if they are not taken care of at an early age, you'll pay for it in the long run through various decay and cavities as well as gingivitis and other gum diseases."

Senator Milton Potter, who expressed support for the measure, said, “Oral health is the key to physical health and wellness."

Senators Francis, Franklin Johnson, Potter , Kenneth Gittens, Carla Joesph and Steven Payne voted in favor of the measure. Senator Genevieve Whitaker did not vote.

Other bills that were forwarded on Tuesday were:

Bill No 34-0061 A Resolution honoring and commending Mr. Hillary “Baga” Rezende for his many contributions to steel pan music and his dedicated service to the people of the Virgin Islands