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First 5 LA Board of Commissioners Approves $20 Million Oral Health Community Development Project to Flouridate Cities

September 20, 2007
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Los Angeles, Ca. – First 5 LA's Board of Commissioners today approved a $20 million Oral Health Community Development Project (OHCD) that will allow communities to fluoridate their water supply to prevent tooth decay, especially in young children.

The OHCD will supplement existing fluoridation efforts of the Metropolitan Water
District by helping cities from throughout Los Angeles County achieve optimally fluoridated water levels. Through this project, the county's local water boards and municipalities will have an opportunity to fluoridate water supplies at levels that prevent tooth decay, including dental caries in children. According to the Center for Disease Control, dental caries is still the most common preventable chronic disease in the U.S., and tooth decay is the number one reason that children miss school.

"Today's Commission approval of my oral health initiative means that thousands of kids in Los Angeles County will grow up with healthier, stronger teeth," said Los Angeles County Board Supervisor and First 5 LA Board Chairman Zev Yaroslavsky.

"In addition, their families will avoid the inconvenience of unnecessary trips to the dentist for fillings, extractions and other painful and entirely avoidable procedures."

In Los Angeles County, several cities – including Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and Long Beach – already have optimally fluoridated water. Santa Monica's water supply is expected to be optimally fluoridated in the coming months.

"First 5 LA's Commission believes oral health to be a critical part of the overall healthy growth and development of a child," said Jonathan Fielding, Director of the Department of Public Health and Health Officer for Los Angeles County. "We are excited about this project, which is such an important investment in the wellbeing of our children," added Fielding.

Oral Health Community Development

The OHCD funding will be available to interested cities over the course of three years.

Eligible applicants must demonstrate their capacity to execute and maintain fluoridation in their communities. First 5 LA monies will fund the infrastructure needed for water to be fluoridated.

First 5 LA is a unique child advocacy organization created by California voters that
invests tobacco tax revenues in programs that improve the lives of children prenatal to 5 in Los Angeles County. First 5 LA champions health, education and safety issues benefiting young children and their families.

For more information about the OHCD, please call Evelyn G. Aleman at 213.482.7555 or Public Health Communications Staff 213.240.8144 (business hours) or 213.990.7107 (after hours).