The dental profession has fought long and hard to make the benefits of fluoride available to the citizens of this country. Keep in mind that the two major diseases that dentists treat are tooth decay and periodontal disease. Why would dentists promote a public health strategy that would markedly reduce the amount of tooth decay? They have taken this stance because it is the obligation of a health care professional to promote health.

The evidence is overwhelming that fluoride when properly administered markedly reduces tooth decay. The evidence that this strategy is safe has been documented in numerous large-scale epidemiologic studies — studies that compare the general health of human beings of similar backgrounds who have either been exposed to or not exposed to fluoride. There have also been numerous studies of communities where fluoride occurs naturally, e.g. Colorado Springs. Once again there is no evidence that the population of individuals who live in such places are any less healthy or more mentally impaired than those living in places with no fluoride in the water. I am proud of the stance that my profession has taken regarding the fluoridation of water.