DE QUEEN — De Queen is the latest Arkansas city to receive a grant to help cover the start-up costs to fluoridate its water system.
The Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation gave the city a $17,655.29 grant. The foundation has pledged to pay start up costs of adding fluoride to water systems in Arkansas.
In 2011, the Legislature passed Act 197 requiring water municipalities serving 5,000 or more customers to fluoridate their public water systems using nontaxpayer dollars.
In Arkansas, 35 water systems are affected and now are mandated to fluoridate their water.
Fluoridating water supplies is a safe, effective way to decrease dental decay and chronic oral infections, said Kelly Caldwell, manager of communication for the Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation.
The chemical cost to De Queen will be about $13,000 a year.
Arkansas, Pages 12 on 12/25/2012