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Know the FRIENDS of fluoride

Know the SUPPORTERS of fluoride

The organizations and professionals that you know and trust support community water fluoridation because it is safe and effective. But don’t take our word for it!  Here are their opinions about community water fluoridation, in their own words.

 

The PEOPLE

 

Water fluoridation is safe and effective method to prevent tooth decay for all members of the community.  This aids the entire community and is not based on their age, income or if they visit a dentist. Here are some of the people who believe that the community loses when this simple effort is not possible for them.

Caroline, Student - Topeka, KS

Christen, Dental Hygienist - Atchinson, KS

Bob, Dental Clinic Director - Pittsburg, KS

Jill, Former State Legislator - Lenexa, KS

Natalie, Business Manager - Wichita, KS

Norma, School Health Nurse - Kismet, KS

Norma Sanchez, R.N.In my opinion, oral health is about many things. It’s about educating how to have good hygiene habits, about having regular professional check-ups at an early age, having good nutrition, and treatment for oral problems (even on baby teeth).  One simple way to ensure good oral health is to drink fluoridated water. It is a simple, effective way to take preventative measures for the overall task of good oral health. And for our students, prevention may be the only option.

Norma Sanchez, R.N., USD #483 School Health Nurse

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ORGANIZATONS

 

There are more than 100 national and international organizations that have recognized the public health benefits of community water fluoridation. Given the dramatic decline in tooth decay during the past 70 years since CWF was initiated, the CDC named fluoridation of drinking water to prevent dental caries as one of the “Ten Great Public Health Interventions of the 20th Century”. Because of its health and economic benefits, CWF has been and is included in the 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2020 national health objectives.

Kansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics

KAAP logoThere have been over 65 years of experience and countless studies that have shown that fluoride is both safe and cost-effective in preventing cavities. Fluoride prevents at least 25% of cavities in children and adults over their lifespan.

— From KAAP testimony on HB 2372

There are more than 100 national and international organizations that have recognized the public health benefits of community water fluoridation. Given the dramatic decline in tooth decay during the past 70 years since CWF was initiated, the CDC named fluoridation of drinking water to prevent dental caries as one of the “Ten Great Public Health Interventions of the 20th Century”. Becauseof its health and economic benefits, CWF has been and is included in the 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2020 national health objectives.

Kansas Action for Children

KAC logoTooth decay is the most common chronic disease in children. We know that preventive care early in life is the key to mitigating this debilitating condition. One of the best ways to prevent dental decay is drinking fluoridated water.

— From KAC testimony on HB 2372

Kansas Advocates for Better Care

KABC logoA generation of prevention, regular dental care and fluoridated water has proven that oral diseases and tooth loss are not an inevitable aspect of aging. Study after study over the past 60 years show that water fluoridation contributes much more to overall health than simply reducing dental decay: it prevents needless infection, pain, suffering and loss of teeth; improves the quality of life and saves vast sums of money in dental treatment costs.

— From KABC testimony on HB 2372

Kansas Association of Community Action Programs

KACAP logoWater fluoridation provides legitimate, scientifically proven benefits to all Kansans, and particularly to those without access to regular, affordable, preventative dental care.

— From KACAP testimony on HB 2372

Kansas Association for the Medically Underserved

KAMU logoWater fluoridation is an important part of prevention. It is the most preventable measure communities can take to ward off tooth decay. This public health intervention is especially important for people who cannot afford or otherwise do not have access to regular, routine dental care. In some cases, fluoridated water is the only consistent decay prevention they get.

— From KAMU testimony on HB 2372

Kansas Dental Association

Kansas Dental Association logoThe Kansas Dental Association supports public policies that promote the dental health of the general public. As such the KDA supports community water fluoridation as a safe and cost effective means to reduce dental disease for all Kansans.

— Statement based on KDA Policy Statement Supporting Community Water Fluoridation

Kansas Dental Hygienists Association

KDHA logoFluoridating water prevents cavities. There is a direct causal effect. Untreated cavities can cause pain, dysfunction, school and work absences, difficulty concentrating and poor appearance, eventually impacting a person’s ability to succeed.

— From KDHA testimony on HB 2372

Kansas Public Health Association

KPHA logoThe present practice of fluoridating drinking water to between 0.7 and 1.2 ppm (mg/L) is safe and effective and remains a public health priority among the scientific community.

—From John S. Neuberger, DrPH, MPH, MBA’s verbal testimony on HB 2372

Oral Health Kansas

Kansas Dental Association logoOral Health Kansas supports community water fluoridation as an effective preventative intervention to improve the oral health of all Kansans.

— from Oral Health Kansas' Values and Beliefs statements


Find out what national and international organizations have to say about fluoride.

 


SUPPORTER Stories


Fluoridation Makes a Difference in Your Childs Life

A few years ago, more than 50 percent of school age children in Plains and Kismet, KS, were on free and reduced lunches.  Norma Sanchez, a school nurse, returned to the area in late 2010 and became alarmed at the number of children coming to her office complaining of mouth pain.  In addition to the medical needs of her students that were not being met, Norma recognized that many of her students had either never been to the dentist or had not returned to the dentist in years.  Families with insurance had to travel three hours from Plains and Kismet for specialized pediatric care, and uninsured families had to travel an hour and a half to Garden City.

The children in Plains and Kismet are far from the only children to suffer from the effects of untreated dental decay.  In the United States, dental decay is the most common chronic disease of children and adolescents between the ages of 6-19; in Kansas, 48% of 3rd grade children have experienced dental decay.  Kids with untreated dental decay can experience pain that causes them to pay less attention in school or miss school altogether, and poor oral health has been related to decreased school performance, poor social relationships, and less success later in life.

The thing is, dental decay is a completely preventable childhood disease.  Fluoridated community water can help prevent cavities and help kids like the ones in Plains and Kismet live better lives.

Norma Sanchez, R.N.In my opinion, oral health is about many things. It’s about educating how to have good hygiene habits, about having regular professional check-ups at an early age, having good nutrition, and treatment for oral problems (even on baby teeth).  One simple way to ensure good oral health is to drink fluoridated water. It is a simple, effective way to take preventative measures for the overall task of good oral health. And for our students, prevention may be the only option.

Norma Sanchez, R.N.
USD #483 School Health Nurse


A Dentist's Fight to Keep Community Water Fluoridation

Nick RogersKnow the FACES of fluoride

Dr. Nick Rogers is a well-respected and admired member of the community in Arkansas City. He has had a dental practice for many years that is dedicated not only to serving people in the office, but also doing community outreach.

“Scott and I don’t want to lose fluoride under our watch!” It was with these words that Dr. Nick Rogers launched a brief, but very successful battle to preserve fluoride in Arkansas City last spring. Nick and his son, Dr. Scott Rogers, learned about an anti-fluoridationist who wanted to turn an issue about a new water treatment plant into a referendum on community water fluoridation.

In the span of 15 days, they met with each member of the City Commission at least twice, held ongoing conversations with the City Manager, urged the Chamber of Commerce to educate members about the value of fluoridation, and organized all the dentists in town to advocate to keep fluoride. City Commissioners, at first, were swayed by the anti-fluoride messages they heard and considered putting the issue before the voters; but, in the end, the dental community under Dr. Nick Rogers’ leadership persuaded them to continue the city’s practice of providing residents with optimally fluoridated water.

On April 5, after the City Commission met, Nick jubilantly proclaimed, “Fluoride PASSED! I even got a hug afterwards from the lady who was leading the anti-fluoride movement! All of the dentists pulled together for this one.” It takes a pretty special person to win over the opposing party in a battle the way Nick did.  

It is one thing to support water fluoridation as a dental professional, but it is another to decide to exercise leadership by organizing both the dentists and business community to advocate for fluoridation as quickly and effectively as Nick did. He had been through previous battles, and he understood why it is important to take even a minor threat seriously and to organize and advocate with everything you’ve got. He took nothing for granted, and he used all the resources available to him from the local, state, and national levels to prove to the City Commission why they should continue their long-standing practice of community water fluoridation.  

Nick has been active in the Kansas dental community for many years, including serving as the Southern District Dental Society President. He will serve as the President of the Kansas Dental Association (KDA) in 2017-2018, and has been a part of many KDA Councils and Committees. He also is one of the most well-known advocates of dental care in early childhood among general dentists in the state. When he sees an issue that needs to be addressed, he gets involved. He has never been someone who sits on the sidelines and waits to see if someone else will do something. This fluoridation success is one in a long string of advocacy successes under Nick’s belt, and there is no reason to believe they will not continue for a long time to come.