What if Fluoride was Never Safe?

A Public Health Triumph—or a Cautionary Tale? For decades, the story of fluoridation has been told as a triumph of modern science—a simple, inexpensive way to prevent tooth decay. In 1999, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention listed community water fluoridation among the “Ten Great Public Health Achievements of the 20th Century.” But every triumph […]

This reaction turns Teflon into toothpaste’s key ingredient

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is one of those chemical innovations that has gone from wonder material to societal scourge. Better known by its brand name, Teflon, PTFE is remarkably unreactive and can withstand high temperatures, which makes it excellent for use in nonstick cookware, industrial and medical coatings, and electronic insulation and as seals and gaskets when […]

Dental experts share concerns over Santa Fe fluoride ordinance

SANTA FE, N.M. — Santa Fe officials have decided to stop adding fluoride to the city’s water supply due to levels exceeding the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommended 0.7 parts per million, with current levels ranging between 0.8 and 1.2 parts per million. “We estimate on the order of $400,000 to $600,000 of […]

Highlighting facts about community water fluoridation

Despite decades of scientific validation and measurable public health success, community water fluoridation continues to face waves of misinformation. During the session The ABCs of Community Water Fluoridation: Science, Specifics, and Stats” at Smilecon 2025, a pair of experts — Liz Lense, D.D.S., senior scientist for population health programs at the ADA, and Scott L. […]

Daily Item: Selinsgrove Considers Removing Fluoride from Water

The Daily Item reports Selinsgrove Borough Council is considering removing fluoride from its water system. The newspaper reports council was told that DEP has tightened its rules regarding the monitoring of water systems that use fluoride. Also the new monitoring equipment and labor would be several thousand dollars according to the borough manager. Earlier this […]

Clarksville urged to continue water fluoridation

Local dentist Reggie Young took center stage at the Clarksville Town Council meeting Oct. 21 to ask that Clarksville continue to use fluoride in the town’s water supply. Young, who has practiced dentistry in Clarksville for years, presented evidence highlighting the benefits of water fluoridation for dental health, particularly among children and underserved families. He […]

The New Fault Lines on Fluoride in Four States — and What They Mean for Medicaid

Across the country, there’s a new wave of proposals targeting community water fluoridation (CWF) as many states are tightening Medicaid budgets. That combination is uniquely dangerous for low-income families: End fluoridation -> see cavities rise -> watch public insurance spending swell. Recent modeling published in JAMA Health Forum projects that eliminating fluoridation nationally would increase tooth decay in […]