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Coco Warner ReportingAfter nearly three years in the making, Salt Lake Valley residents will take their first drink of fluoridated water. Tomorrow's deadline moves Utah from dead last in the area of fluoridation to the middle of the pack.
Dr. Jeff Dorius is hoping to do a lot less drilling now that fluoride will be available to his customer base starting tomorrow. In proper doses fluoride prevents tooth decay.
Jeff Doruis, D.D.S, Advanced Dentistry: “We're taking Capri Suns to the soccer field, we're eating fruit snacks and don't have the best brushing habits. So anything we can do to give those teeth an advantage, you know they're so much better off."
In Murray, tomorrow's fluoridated water will come at the push of a button. A pump will calculate the dosage and deliver it to the water. Murray Water officials say fluoridating the water has been a year long process. But it's project that didn't go over budget and will be absorbed as part of a rate increase that took effect last year.
Phil Markham/Murray Public Works: "It's fully integrated into our water system now and we're ready to turn the equipment on."
Salt Lake County health officials say overall they've been pleased with the cooperation from area water systems. Only three will not meet tomorrow's deadline and they will be handled by the Board of Health.
Royal Delagge, S.L. County Environmental Health: "What I would say to people who have concerns about fluoridation is it is a proven technology. It's been in place in the united states for over 50 years."
And a practice that thousands of Salt Lake County residents will soon take part in every time they take a sip of water.
Opponents of fluoridation say at this point they're not giving up and will continue to have the vote overturned.
