From the Front Line
What You Need to Know About Fluorosis Today
April 26, 2019
Fluoride is an important mineral, especially for children. Our mouths contain bacteria that use sugars in the foods we eat and the beverages we drink to produce an acid that harms our teeth. Fluoride protects our teeth. But too much fluoride can cause something called dental fluorosis. Dental fluorosis is… » Read Full Post
Thank Your Water Utility Operator
April 12, 2019
Water utility personnel are the unsung heroes of public health. The important work they do ensures that we have clean, safe drinking water. Where fluoridated, that water supply helps reduce dental disease for children and adults by as much as 25%. Utility operators don’t receive a lot of recognition for… » Read Full Post
How Fluoridation Works Graphics Updated!
January 24, 2019
The Campaign for Dental Health (CDH) is happy to announce that the How Fluoridation Works poster and graphic have been updated with new images and are available in both Spanish and English! And now a new format is available that allows for printing of full-size, 18x24 posters! These resources compliment the How Fluoride… » Read Full Post
Why should dental professionals talk about tobacco?
December 14, 2018
Tobacco is the leading cause of death in the United States, killing 480,000 users each year. Over 15% of adults and nearly 20% of youth in the US are current tobacco users, and 2 in 5 children are regularly exposed to tobacco smoke. Smoking, use of smokeless tobacco products, and… » Read Full Post
New Resources: Common Questions About Fluorosis and Fluoride
June 26, 2018
Parents have questions, and we have answers. The Campaign for Dental Health has just released new, simpler versions of two of our handouts for parents and caregivers, in both Spanish and English. Enhanced graphics, bold formatting, and a reduction in the amount of text makes these quicker and easier to… » Read Full Post
Two Decades of Persisting Income Disparities in Dental Caries Among US Children and Adolescents
June 21, 2018
Guest Blog Post by Lourdes M. Secola, DMD, MScD, DDS, Cert.PH West Maple Pediatric Dentistry. Omaha, NE Dental caries – known to most of us as tooth decay – continues to be the most common preventable disease of childhood. And the poorer you are, the worse your dental disease is… » Read Full Post
Attempts to Discontinue Fluoridation in U.S. Communities Fail 4 out of 5 Times
June 5, 2018
The Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD) recently posted the findings of its ongoing surveillance of attempts by opponents of water fluoridation to end the practice in targeted communities. In 2017, although existing fluoridation policy was challenged in 48 communities, it was maintained in 39 (81%). This… » Read Full Post
New Study: No Neurotoxic Effect
April 24, 2018
In recent years, opponents of community water fluoridation (CWF) have pointed to some studies as supporting their concerns that fluoride is a neurotoxin that can lead to lower IQs or cognitive scores among children. Experts have examined those studies and cited significant weaknesses or limitations. Nonetheless, researchers in multiple countries… » Read Full Post
AAPD Policy on the Use of Silver Diamine Fluoride for Pediatric Dental Patients
October 31, 2017
Guest Blog Post by Yasmi O. Crystal DMD, MSc, FAAPD Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatric Dentistry NYU College of Dentistry When very young children or children with special needs have cavities, placing fillings in their teeth can be a challenge for all involved. These children often need to be… » Read Full Post
Draw No Firm Conclusions from Prenatal Fluoride Exposure Study
October 20, 2017
In these polarized times, it is all too easy to rush to defend our biases and to do so fiercely, leaving no room for reasoned discussion. That is one of the points made by Timothy Caulfield, Canada Research Chair in health law and policy at the University of Alberta, in… » Read Full Post