As faculty in the College of New Caledonia Dental Studies Program, we are very concerned about the misinformation that has surrounded the community water fluoridation issue. There are organizations claiming fluoride is a poison that causes cancer, neurological problems, decreased intelligence and other serious diseases/conditions but surely any reasonable person knows that anything consumed in large quantities can have negative effects. To date, there are 3200 scientific studies supporting the use of appropriate levels of fluoride in community water as a cost effective and safe method of reducing tooth decay.
The Faculty and Staff in the College of New Caledonia Dental Studies Program, collectively, have over 250 years of experience in the dental profession. Each of us has seen cases where children and adults have come to the dental office in pain because of tooth decay. Sadly, the bulk of these patients are individuals that cannot afford regular dental care. Additionally, our personal experience has demonstrated that our patients from non-fluoridated communities have significantly higher rates of tooth decay than patients from communities that have water fluoridation. A good majority of patients in the communities with water fluoridation are now cavity free adults.
We would like to remind people that the most important effect of fluoridated water is the repeated topical application of the fluoride bathing the teeth to strengthen and prevent tooth decay. We encourage people to vote on the fluoride referendum November 15, 2014. Your choice, however, should be an informed decision that includes all the information related to water fluoridation. Please educate yourselves before you cast the vote. If you want more information on the benefits of water fluoridation, please contact an oral health professional.
The Staff and Faculty of the College of New Caledonia Dental Studies Program
Margit Strobl RDH, Dip DH, BDSc (DH)
Dental Hygiene Instructor
College of New Caledonia
