Capel and Donnybrook communities are now benefiting from fluoridated drinking water supplies, marking a significant milestone in improving oral health and overall wellbeing in Western Australia's South West.
The Department of Health announced today that fluoridation of the public drinking water supply in both Capel and Donnybrook has been successfully completed.
This development continues the roll-out of fluoridation across Western Australia's South West region, following its successful implementation in Dalyellup, Bunbury, Eaton, Australind, and other surrounding communities.
With most of WA already accessing fluoridated drinking water, Capel and Donnybrook join the broader effort to improve public health outcomes through this proven preventative measure.
WA's Chief Health Officer, Dr Andrew Robertson highlighted the positive impact of fluoridation as a preventative health measure in strengthening oral health and overall wellbeing.
"Poor oral health does not just affect your teeth – it impacts your ability to sleep, eat, and speak, and it's linked to a range of medical conditions, including cardiovascular disease and rheumatoid arthritis," Dr Robertson said.
"The introduction of fluoride in the drinking water supply of both Capel and Donnybrook is a positive step forward in ensuring healthier smiles and better health outcomes for children and families in the South West community."
A 2016 Department of Health study demonstrated that children in unfluoridated areas of the South West of Western Australia were more likely to experience poor dental health compared to those in fluoridated Perth metropolitan areas.
The supplementation of community drinking water supplies with fluoride is supported by numerous health organisations, including the National Health and Medical Research Council and the WA Branch of the Australian Dental Association.
About 94 per cent of WA's population accesses fluoridated drinking water.
Water Corporation, which supplies drinking water to both Capel and Donnybrook, is responsible for ensuring fluoridation in each community's water supply.
Local residents who have questions about whether their drinking water is fluoridated or not should contact their billing water supplier.
The Department of Health will closely monitor water quality to ensure compliance with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and the Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Act 1966.
A 2018 Water Fluoridation Survey of the Bunbury and Dalyellup areas can be viewed on the WA Health website.
