Note from Fluoride Action Network: The bold emphasis in the article below is the author’s.

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Healthy People 2010 was launched by the Department of Health and Human Services. It has a comprehensive, nationwide health promotion and disease prevention agenda based on legitimate science. Its goals and objectives are designed to serve as a framework for improving the health of all people in the United States.

The Improving Oral Health group of the Seward Wellness for All is composed of several doctors, dentists, a toxicologist, engineer, and other medical and wellness professionals. The issue of water fluoridation has been thoroughly researched not only by this group but by other professional organizations worldwide. With over 65 years of research, over 30,000 fluoride related studies in the National Library of Medicine and the support of over 100 national and international organizations, the preponderance of research continues to confirm the safety, effectiveness, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmental compatibility of community water fluoridation.

Canada recently completed a 2009 comprehensive study on fluoridation and the findings state:

The weight of evidence from all currently available studies does not support a link between exposure to fluoride in drinking water at 1.5 mg/L and any adverse health effects, including those related to cancer, immunotoxicity, reproductive/developmental toxicity, genotoxicity and/or neurotoxicity. It also does not support a link between fluoride exposure and intelligence quotient deficit, as there are significant concerns regarding the available studies, including quality, credibility, and methodological weaknesses.

The mis-information, mis-interpretation of data, and inflammatory opinions on the internet are difficult to differentiate from legitimate science. Given this and the credentials of the members on the Improving Oral Health group, I encourage the public to seek advice or clarification from us or legitimate, science based websites like The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, U.S. Public Health Service and the American Dental Association.

As many people have commented to me, “There is a lot of information out there but Dr. Moriarty is my dentist and I trust him. I’m a xxxxxxx and I wouldn’t want him giving me advice on how to do my job so I’m not going to second guess him on his.”

In addition, Seward’s water already has naturally occurring fluoride at 0.072 parts per million (1993 water test). Therefore, fluoridation would enhance Seward’s current levels to the level deemed optimal by the U.S. Public Health Service (0.7-1.25 parts per million).

Currently 72.4 % of the U.S. population on public water systems is fluoridated with more communities having approved but not yet implemented fluoridation yet. Caries is recognized as a chronic disease effecting both young and old. An interesting side note is that 8,078,890 people are served by community water systems with naturally occurring fluoride and that two of the 50 largest cities in the U.S. are fluoridated naturally. If there were health issues, generations within these populations would show health epidemics and they don’t.

FACTS:

• Fluoride is not banned in Europe or any other country.

• The position of the U.S. courts is that the government’s interest in the health and welfare of the public generally overrides individual objections to public health regulation.

• There is a systemic link between oral health and overall general health including diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

• Water fluoridation remains the most equitable and cost-effective method of delivering fluoride to all members of most communities, regardless of age, educational attainment, or income level.” (Centers for Disease Control)

• The Council of State Government’s 2006 resolution “urges state and local policymakers to consider the effectiveness of community water fluoridation as an economical public health measure in preventing tooth decay.”

• Named by the Centers for Disease Control as one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th Century.

On behalf of the Improving Oral Health group, we would like to thank City Council members and the public for their votes to support water fluoridation and prevention.

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