Community Water Fluoridation Research Papers
Introduction
Water fluoridation is the controlled addition of fluoride to a public water supply in the proportion of about one part per million and is believed to help prevent tooth decay1. Implementation of Community Water Fluoridation in the United States has been a contentious issue since the practice started in America in the 1950’s2. To understand the issue we must discuss “What is fluoride and why is the addition of this natural element in drinking water a public dispute?”
Oral health is integral to overall physical health of an individual3. The World Health Organization’s 2005 annual bulletin suggests that dental caries (tooth decay) is one of the most common disease in the U.S., affecting almost the total population4. According to …show more content…
The State of Arkansas’s legislature, during the 2011 legislative session, passed Act 197, an Act to provide for water systems serving more than 5000 people, to maintain a level of fluoride to prevent tooth decay” 11. Act 197 was spearheaded by State Sen. David Johnson, who became convinced that everyone should have fluoridated water after reading a report on dental health done by the Pew Research Center13. The state Health Department had been calling for statewide fluoridation for many years12. In fact, in 2005, the Senate passed a fluoridation bill, a bill that died in the House of Representatives. Being cognizant of the failure to pass that bill, Johnson gathered his Senate colleagues together in support of Act 19711. Eighteen other Senators joined him as co-sponsors of the bill, and, in fact, they were able to pass it in a speedy manner. The House of Representatives later got behind the bill, and it was signed by the Governor and became law11. Nevertheless, the heated debate against fluoridation continued and in 2015 the Arkansas legislature introduced an act to repeal Act 197, the “Water Additive Accountability Act.” …show more content…
The Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation. It is one of the biggest benefactors providing subsidized dental care for the underprivileged in Arkansas16. It is paradoxical that the largest insurance providers for dental care is also the largest contributor of funds to help implement plans for water fluoridation in Arkansas.
On the Anti-Fluoride side, there are two distinct groups:
1. A well-organized national organization, the “Fluoride Action Network” and its Arkansas affiliate, Secure Arkansas. Both are organizations that oppose fluoridation on medical and legal grounds17.
Both groups have as their premise that fluoride is harmful, toxic and unproven to reduce tooth decay. They also contend that there is a legal argument, that is, mandatory distribution of fluoride is forced medication by the government. They argue that fluoridation violates the implied constitutional premise to be left alone.
2. The above groups are joined by a large number of individuals who oppose government interference with their individual liberties and have real concerns about the safety of
Water fluoridation is the controlled addition of fluoride to a public water supply in the proportion of about one part per million and is believed to help prevent tooth decay1. Implementation of Community Water Fluoridation in the United States has been a contentious issue since the practice started in America in the 1950’s2. To understand the issue we must discuss “What is fluoride and why is the addition of this natural element in drinking water a public dispute?”
Oral health is integral to overall physical health of an individual3. The World Health Organization’s 2005 annual bulletin suggests that dental caries (tooth decay) is one of the most common disease in the U.S., affecting almost the total population4. According to …show more content…
The State of Arkansas’s legislature, during the 2011 legislative session, passed Act 197, an Act to provide for water systems serving more than 5000 people, to maintain a level of fluoride to prevent tooth decay” 11. Act 197 was spearheaded by State Sen. David Johnson, who became convinced that everyone should have fluoridated water after reading a report on dental health done by the Pew Research Center13. The state Health Department had been calling for statewide fluoridation for many years12. In fact, in 2005, the Senate passed a fluoridation bill, a bill that died in the House of Representatives. Being cognizant of the failure to pass that bill, Johnson gathered his Senate colleagues together in support of Act 19711. Eighteen other Senators joined him as co-sponsors of the bill, and, in fact, they were able to pass it in a speedy manner. The House of Representatives later got behind the bill, and it was signed by the Governor and became law11. Nevertheless, the heated debate against fluoridation continued and in 2015 the Arkansas legislature introduced an act to repeal Act 197, the “Water Additive Accountability Act.” …show more content…
The Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation. It is one of the biggest benefactors providing subsidized dental care for the underprivileged in Arkansas16. It is paradoxical that the largest insurance providers for dental care is also the largest contributor of funds to help implement plans for water fluoridation in Arkansas.
On the Anti-Fluoride side, there are two distinct groups:
1. A well-organized national organization, the “Fluoride Action Network” and its Arkansas affiliate, Secure Arkansas. Both are organizations that oppose fluoridation on medical and legal grounds17.
Both groups have as their premise that fluoride is harmful, toxic and unproven to reduce tooth decay. They also contend that there is a legal argument, that is, mandatory distribution of fluoride is forced medication by the government. They argue that fluoridation violates the implied constitutional premise to be left alone.
2. The above groups are joined by a large number of individuals who oppose government interference with their individual liberties and have real concerns about the safety of