Dr. Uswak leads defense of water fluoridation at Regina city council

The long-standing debate over the fluoridation of Regina’s municipal drinking water once again took center stage at a marathon city council meeting on May 2nd, as councilors weighed a motion to delay the planned implementation of fluoride treatment at the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant.

The issue of water fluoridation in Regina stretches back to the 1950s and has resurfaced periodically over the decades. Most recently, in 2021, the city approved a plan to introduce fluoride into its water supply, aligning the initiative with significant infrastructure upgrades at the Buffalo Pound facility. However, a delay in the plant’s construction—originally expected to be completed by mid-2025 but now pushed to March 2026—created a new window for public and political scrutiny.

Earlier this year, Councilor Clark Bezo brought forward a motion to pause the fluoridation plan pending further investigation into potential health risks. This prompted one of the most highly engaged public council sessions in recent memory, featuring presentations from 29 in-person delegates and nearly 80 written submissions. Among the voices were local physicians, health officials from the Saskatchewan Health Authority, and representatives from the College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan, all speaking in favor of fluoridation. Opponents of the measure cited concerns over bodily autonomy and the potential for adverse health effects.

One of the key expert contributions came from Dr. Gerry Uswak, DMD, MPH, DDPH, Associate Professor and Director of the Dental Therapy Program at the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) College of Dentistry. He joined the discussion virtually, speaking on behalf of the College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan. Dr. Uswak provided a comprehensive presentation addressing the current scientific evidence supporting community water fluoridation (CWF).

Dr. Uswak methodically challenged the claims made by opponents, particularly those referencing studies used by anti-fluoridation advocates and the National Toxicology Program. He emphasized the importance of evaluating the quality and methodology of studies, noting that many of the papers cited by critics failed to meet the rigorous standards upheld by dental public health researchers.

A significant portion of his presentation focused on recent, high-quality research that examined maternal fluoride exposure and potential impacts on child neurodevelopment. Dr. Uswak highlighted a new study that used robust, prospective methodologies and followed best practices laid out by the Canadian Fluoridation Society, ultimately discrediting the controversial “Green paper” often referenced by opponents. His presentation also provided a chronological review of developments since the 2021 council vote in favor of fluoridation, reinforcing the scientific and ethical case for maintaining that decision.

After nearly nine hours of debate, Regina City Council ultimately voted down the motion to delay fluoridation. The city remains committed to implementing fluoride treatment once upgrades to the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant are completed in 2026.

Reflecting on the meeting, Dr. Uswak remarked, “This was the most organized antifluoridation movement ever in my years of experience in Saskatchewan. Not only were anti-fluoride publications used, there was a great deal of misinterpretation of evidence to make an anti-fluoride point. Moreover, the anti side had presentations from individuals who had unsuccessfully tried to overturn the Calgary fluoridation debate.” He added that he believes that “CWF is effective, efficient, safe and equitable.”

In discussing the broader role of dental professionals in such public health matters, Dr. Uswak underscored the profession’s responsibility to advocate for the well-being of the population. “The social contract between organized dentistry and the population behooves us to put the public's best interests ahead of our own,” he said. “This was done—community water fluoridation in Regina was upheld.”

With council’s reaffirmed commitment, fluoride will be added to Regina’s water supply once infrastructure work at the treatment plant is completed, marking a significant step in the city’s ongoing efforts to support oral health through evidence-based public policy.