Bunbury water supply now fluoridated as part of national oral health plan

Drinking water in Bunbury is now being fluoridated by the State Government to improve dental health, the Department of Health has announced. The move brings Bunbury in to line with the Perth metro area where water has been fluoridated for decades and is part of the National Oral Health Plan. Bunbury is far from the first South West area with fluoridated water — Dalyellup’s supply has been part of the scheme since 2022 while Eaton, Australind and Brunswick Junction’s water has since 2020. With the latest roll out about 94 per cent of the West Australian population’s water supply is fluoridated. According to the Department of Health, water fluoridation is a safe and effective way to reduce tooth decay and improve oral health. WA chief health officer Dr Paul Armstrong said the move would help the community stay healthy. “Poor oral health can affect an individual in many ways, including detrimental impacts on the ability to sleep, eat and speak,” he said. “The introduction of water fluoridation in Bunbury marks a significant step forward in our efforts to improve oral health for everyone in the community.” According to a 2016 Department of Health study, children aged between 5 and 12 living in parts of the South West where fluoridated was not available were 1.5 times more likely of having one or more decayed, missing or filled deciduous teeth than children in Perth.