Yes to water fluoridation

Editor: Recently, you ran a letter opposing water fluoridation. The writer said most of his friends opposed fluoridation. Well, I would expect his friends are his friends because they are like-minded. I am a dental hygienist, and all of my friends support fluoridation.

I firmly believe all are entitled to their opinion, but the writer wrote false information. H stated the Center for Disease Control recommends diabetics not drink fluoridated water. This is not true. On the CDC website, I found no mention of any concern of diabetics drinking fluoridated water; I did find, though, all positive support for fluoridation as an effective means of reducing cavities among diverse populations.

The CDS, World Health Organization, American Medial Association, American Academy of Pediatrics and, or curse, all the major dental organizations support community water fluoridation.

Dental caries (cavities) is the most prevalent chronic illness of childhood. It affects 1.5 million children under the age of six. I once worked two cases simultaneously: one with and one without fluoridation – the difference in decay rates was staggering. Very little decay in fluoridated city, whereas the non-fluoridated city keeps my dentist very, very busy.

Did you know almost all water supplies naturally contain some fluoride? Community water fluoridation is simply an adjustment of the natural concentration to a level optimal for preventing cavities. Everyone in the community benefits, regardless of age, race, income or insurance.

Carol Rose, RDH
Sonoma