[chyk]

This is one of my "core issues". I'm a dentist. Fluoridation reduces the incidence of dental decay by 50-70%. Dental decay leads to infection, loss of teeth - with resultant loss of function and appearance, it is the leading cause of loss of time from work and school. We all pay for its results in one way or another. Fluoridation cost pennies as oppossed to billions for government, private, or corporate insurance to restore health and funntion. But again due to junk science/politics around 40-50% of the kids in this country are without the benefit.

Again government should empower people, and this is a government measure - a small trivial one that people still quibble over - that empowers children to live healthy lives. And saves society billions in costs and lost man-hours.

[TomB]

Actually, the idea that "the government" is forcing fluoridation on the people isn't quite true. Each town and municipality with their own water supplies are completely and totally free to make their own decisions on this matter. There is no pressure from the State of Federal government.

Each community can weigh the cost/benefit ratio and decide what to do. That is, in fact, how the founding fathers envisioned things to happen. It just so happens that, since we are essentially forced to pay for the medical treatments of the lower socioeconomic groups in this country, it is a no-brainer to try to prevent as much disease as possible, including dental caries.

BTW, nice to meet another dentist, chyk, where the HELL were you during the great fluoridation/amalgam battles around here? Consider yourself on my ping list. ;-)

[mlmr]

You have your opinion that floridation is good for people's teeth. I am not here to argue the benefits of floride treatments. I think that it is your opinion and that is wonderful. As a dentist you should promote floride treatments, floride toothpaste, floride rinses and voluntary floride treatments at the public schools. I do not think that the goverment, local or otherwise should medicate the public waters that my tax dollars support in order to satisfy your opinion. You prevent choice and the government gets to be a nanny.

You say that without water floridation, poor children will have bad teeth. So subsidize floridation treatments to the poor if they want them. As for needing to repair the teeth of the poor on our tax dollar, that is another issue altogether.

[ladylib]

My mother's dentist says this craze for whitening teeth is not the best thing to do and years down the road might be detrimental. In your professional opinion, is it safe?

Thanks.