THE FDA PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE ON FLUORIDATION

FDA President Chuck HoffmanFor over 60 years, fluoridation of community water has resulted in significant reduction of tooth decay for people of all ages. Even with widespread use of fluoride toothpaste, mouth rinse and professional fluoride treatments, systemic fluoride is still needed to provide maximum reduction in tooth decay.

Because of the state of Florida’s economy, budget cuts are facing local governments. One of the expenses that has increased is fluoridation of public drinking waters due to the cost of fluoride chemicals and operational equipment. In addition, opponents of fluoridation have been speaking at city council and county commission meetings to cast doubt on the efficacy and safety of fluoridation, taking recent scientific studies out of context, quoting spurious studies, and creating doubt in the minds of local officials.

The Florida Dental Association (FDA), working together with the Department of Health public health dental program and local health departments, monitor fluoridation efforts statewide. The association has encouraged its component and affiliate dental associations to appoint coordinators to lead the formation of advocacy committees to address local fluoridation issues. When budget problems exist for locations currently fluoridating water systems, or anti-fluoridationists raise questions with public officials about the safety of fluoridation, the association, its advocacy committees and its DOH partners work with local community health coalitions to address the issues with city and county officials. In areas that are not fluoridated, the FDA and its partners offer assistance to local groups that may seek to have their water system add this important preventive dental service.

Approximately 50 percent of the public see a dentist on a regular basis, thus the need is paramount to add and maintain fluoride in public water supplies. Scientific research shows that water fluoridation especially benefits disadvantaged populations, and more importantly, the children in this category. Fluoridation of community water may be their main means of preventing rampant decay leading to a host of other ailments and pain.

This area of the FDA website provides information, resources and guidance on the steps you can take if you become aware of a challenge to fluoridation in your area. If you hear of a challenge, notify the FDA and the president of your component and affiliate dental association. The FDA and its coalition partners will assist local fluoridation supporters to address the situation.

Further, if you have patients who are employees of the city or county, especially city council members, county commissioners, utilities directors or water operators, speak to them about the importance of community water fluoridation and try to ascertain if opponents to fluoridation have been actively seeking to discredit the safety and efficacy of community water fluoridation. Sample letters are provided above in their original Word document format, so that you can download and easily customize your message.

As President of the Florida Dental Association I encourage to become active in promoting the benefits of fluoridation of community water supplies in your area of the state. Please review the fluoride resources above thoroughly and inform your dental team of the appropriate action to take if they hear of any challenges to fluoridation.

Thanks for your attention to this important issue.

Charles Hoffman, PHD, DMD
President
Florida Dental Association