Dental fluoridation in Nebraska
Artificial fluoridation began in Grand Rapids (MI) in 1945. As of 1992 134 million Americans drank artificially fluoridated water and another 10.5 million drank naturally fluoridated water. 42 of the country's 50 largest cities fluoridate their water. At least in the early days, fluoridation dramatically reduced dental caries. Recent epidemiology suggests that fluoridation effects are less dramatic, probably because of improved diet and generally improved oral health. Benefits today are disproportionately to economically disadvantaged children. Fluoridation has been around long enough so that serious epidemiological problems should have long since surfaced.
Popular literature is rife with antifluoridation tracts. Google searches including "fluoridation" bring up primarily antifluoridation sites. Nonetheless scientific literature and health professionals universally recommend fluoridation.
Portland votes to fluoridate, Why science is so hard to believe
Anti-fluoridation crankery, Fluoridation in decline, Nebguide
Communities reconsider (2009) - Communities opt out (2008)
Latest from Nebraska (2008) - Canadian recommendations
Hazards of bottled water, Fluoridation in Australia, Fluoridation in Queensland
New - Effect of removing fluoride from drinking water
The latest from Nebraska - Lincoln Journal Star, August 12, 2004 - Hazards of excess fluoride
Dental fluoridation, an issue in Glasgow, Scotland
Antifluoridation editorial in York News Times - responses (including mine)
Lincoln Journal Star editorial - response to above
Antifluoridation letter to Journal Star (and responses)
In 2003 York voted against fluoridation. It seems that fluoridation still incites fear. Only organized, concerted efforts by professionals will overcome this fear. More recently Palo Alto CA voted down an antifluoridation bill. Election results reflect a highly educated community and a major campaign by health professionals.
Does your information come from a reputable source?
American Dental Association on Fluoridation - resources
American Academy of Family Physicians on fluoridation, Nebraska fluoridation map
see Consumer Reports, 43:392-396, 480-482, 1978 - no longer available online
Views of the American Council on Science and Health - AARP
Center for Disease Control fluoridation page, Rationale behind antifluoridation
National Center for Fluoridation - good links
Executive summary of National Health Service (UK, year 2000) study
Current NAS study on Fluoride toxicity (awkward document) - see USA Today report
Story of an antifluoridation crusader - See poisonmongers on quackwatch
History of fluoridation, British Dental Journal discussion of antifluoridation
For a good current review see Oral Health in the United States: The Post-Fluoride generation, p. Milgroom and S. Reisine, Ann. Rev. Public Health, 21, 403-36 (2000).