Only two out eight water treatment plants in Panama are adding fluoride to water in spite of a previous executive decree.

The decree, ordering the fluoridization of water  in the interests of dental hygene, was issued in 2001 but the country’s sewer and agency, Idaan, is largely ignoring the order according to a survey conducted by La Prensa and confimed by the agency.

A recent study of the quality of Panama's water supply organized by La Prensa found that fluoride was only placed in water coming from two treatment plants out of the eight surveyed.

The lack of action troubling to local dentists, who see fluoridated water as one of the key components in fighting tooth decay. According to industry figures, for every dollar spent on adding fluoride to water, $40 is saved in dental bills.