To the Editor:

A new plan called “Keep Potsdam Smiling” is a viable solution to replace the antiquated model of municipal water fluoridation.

Five key points:

• #1 Identification: Identify disadvantaged children and their families who don’t have access to prevent tooth decay by using the same process as the current free school lunch program does. This can extend the benefits to the entire town, not just the village.

• #2 Distribution: Make freely available: toothpaste with fluoride (topical use), and fluoridated water and/or tablets (internal use) that the American Dental Association provides a standard dosing schedule for. This ensures those qualifying children/families who “choose”, will actually have “clear and direct access” to a “variety” of approved dental health items with a level of accountability that currently doesn’t exist: flushing fluoridated water down the drain is literally money down the drain with no gain.

• #3 Bonus: Provide a toothbrush along with a brief tutorial of best practices for brushing, to really bring home the importance of dental health to disadvantaged families. Also consider: the County is planning a fluoride varnish program and Potsdam could lead this initiative, adding to the list of benefits available to citizens who desire them.

• #4 Implementation: Staff it as a pilot program by allowing proactive volunteers willing to share all the benefits of fluoride with these families. This educates and promotes community involvement from enthusiastic supporters, while being sensitive to the needs of those who don’t want it.

Dental and health professionals working together, likely with donations from dental suppliers, can help make it a very successful campaign and reap the marvelous PR, thus promoting their cause, their business and their special interest in oral health and how they’ve used this to help their local community. As a sound model, it should easily be able to stand on its own and garner support, without the need to be artificially propped up like the current model.

• #5 Adoption: Potsdam can champion a win-win for all with adoption of this viable solution which supports multiple viewpoints to achieve each side’s goals, and helps to solve a problem rather than let it divide. Please consider this plan which is a reflection of everyone’s thoughtful concerns and a solution that addresses them in a very positive way. Thank you!

For additional information and discussion, please visit the “Clean Water Potsdam” group on Facebook.

Jerry Bartlett

Colton

*Original letter online at http://northcountrynow.com/letters/opinion-colton-man-makes-five-point-plan-keep-potsdam-smiling-0243093

See past articles on the Potsdam fluoridation issue:

Oct 1, 2018 ADA News ‘I love fluoride’ campaign proves effective in New York
Sept 26, 2018 North Country Now Opinion: More Medicaid coverage is better than fluoride, says Potsdam resident
By Jessie LaRose, Potsdam
Sept 18, 2018 Watertown Daily Times Village of Potsdam to continue fluoridating the water
Sept 18, 2018 North Country Now Village of Potsdam approves controversial fluoridation of municipal water by 4-1 vote
Sept 18, 2018 North Country Now Opinion: Colton man makes five point plan to ‘Keep Potsdam Smiling’
By By Jerry Bartlett, Colton
Sept 16, 2018 North Country Now Medical and dental professionals urge Potsdam to continue fluoridating water; vote could be Monday
Sept 11, 2018 North Country Now Opinion: Fluoride won’t fix oral health problem, says Potsdam resident
By Susan E. Powers, Potsdam
Sept 11, 2018 North Country Now Opinion: Potsdam woman wonders if we should medicate public via water supply
By Paula Youmell, Potsdam
Sept 8, 2018 Watertown Daily Times Potsdam residents voice opinions on water fluoridation as the village plans to vote on matter on Sept. 17
Sept 5, 2018 North Country Now Fluoridation meeting draws crowd in Potsdam, residents suggest alternative dental health programs
Sept 5, 2018 Watertown Daily Times Potsdam residents voice opinions on water fluoridation as the village plans to vote on matter on Sept. 17
Aug 23, 2018 Watertown Daily Times Potsdam Village board hears professional and public comments on fluoridating the water
Aug 21, 2018 Watertown Daily Times Letter: Potsdam needs to consider facts on fluoride
By Dean Laubscher
Aug 21, 2018 North Country Now Potsdam meeting draws out those in support of fluoridation
Aug 11, 2018 Watertown Daily Times Letter: Potsdam: Fluoridated water has proven health benefits
By Stephen A. Jennings, Jefferson County Public Health Service
Aug 9, 2018 Watertown Daily Times Editorial: Chew on this: Potsdam should continue adding fluoride to its water supply
Aug 5, 2018 Watertown Daily Times Potsdam gets engineering report on fluoride
Aug 5, 2018 North Country Now Potsdam village board will vote on fluoridation before end of September
July 29, 2018 Watertown Daily Times Potsdam forum focuses on choice about fluoridation
July 19, 2018 North Country Now Fluoridated water opponent to speak at Potsdam town meeting July 26
June 3, 2018 Watertown Daily Times Potsdam water quality flagged with violations, then rectified; fluoride decision awaits research
June 2, 2018 North Country Now Most Potsdam village respondents say services worth the cost
April 20, 2018 North Country Now Potsdam will study fluoridation system with help from grant funding
March 8, 2018 Watertown Daily Times Potsdam Village Trustees discuss fluoridation
Jan 30, 2018 Watertown Daily Times Letter: Look into effects fluoridation has on body
By Dean Laubscher
Dec 6, 2017 Watertown Daily Times Potsdam receives legal advice on water source, fluoridation
Oct 3, 2017 Watertown Daily Times Potsdam holds public hearing on fluoridation
Sept 24, 2017 Watertown Daily Times Potsdam: Local dentists express support for water fluoridation
Sept 11, 2017 Watertown Daily Times Potsdam: Village trustee meeting brings comments on fluoride
Aug 27, 2017 Watertown Daily Times Potsdam trustees consider whether to end fluoridation
Aug 10, 2017 North Country Now Letter: Fluoride expert willing to help Potsdam with issue
By Paul Connett
July 30, 2018 North Country Now Potsdam village might stop fluoridating water, might not; study sought