Dear Editor:

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention supports community water fluoridation. As a matter of fact, the CDC has called fluoridation of the public water supply among the top ten public health achievements of the 20th century.

Fluoridation of the public water supply is further supported by the U.S. Public Health Service, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the World Health Organization and the American Dental Association as well as an extensive list of other medical and health organizations.

I am not aware of any widely respected health organization that opposes an optimally fluoridated community water supply.

While most water contains naturally occurring fluoride, in the state of Maine approximately 520,000 residents benefit from the addition of fluoride to optimal levels in the public water supply. And, on a monthly basis, all public water systems in Maine that fluoridate must monitor levels and report to the Maine Drinking Water Program.

Good oral health is an important part of overall health. However, tooth decay remains one of the most common chronic diseases among our children. Why would we choose to eliminate fluoride when we know that it is safe and further, may reduce tooth decay by 25% in both children and adults?

Multiple studies have further shown that water fluoridation provides benefits throughout life that cannot be achieved from using other fluoride-containing products such as toothpaste or mouthwash.1

On behalf of the Maine Dental Association, I urge you to oppose the measure to eliminate fluoride from the public water supply.

Dr. Norma Desjardins

President

Maine Dental Association