Attempts to Discontinue Fluoridation in U.S. Communities Fail 4 out of 5 Times

June 5th, 2018 Children's Oral Health and Fluoride, Communities Supporting Fluoride, Fluoride and Public Health, Partners in Fluoride

  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 continues a trend that has […]


Flint, Lead, Communities of Color, and Health Equity

August 16th, 2017 Fluoride and Public Health, Fluoride, Oral Health, and Access to Care

The Campaign for Dental Health has been tracking the safe drinking water crisis in Flint, Michigan since water fluoridation advocates sounded the alarm in early 2015. At that time, environmental activist Erin Brockovich wrote a post on Facebook that questioned the use of funds to fluoridate the city’s water. (Brockovich has consistently but wrongly impugned […]


EPA denies petition to end fluoridation in the United States

March 17th, 2017 Facts about Fluoride, Fluoride and Public Health, Fluoride in the News

On November 23, 2016, the Fluoride Action Network (FAN) and other groups delivered a petition to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requesting that the agency “prohibit the purposeful addition of fluoridation chemicals to U.S. water supplies” under Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) section 6. On February 27, 2017, a response was published in the Federal […]


A Framework for Addressing Social Determinants of Oral Health for Low-Income Populations

February 21st, 2017 Children's Oral Health and Fluoride, Fluoride and Public Health, Fluoride, Oral Health, and Access to Care, Partners in Fluoride

Guest Blogger: Stacey Chazin, MPH, Former Director of Prevention Programs, Center for Health Care Strategies There is growing evidence that the way people live, learn, work, and play has a significant impact on health, including oral health. These social determinants of health (SDOH) — including such things as access to healthy food, safe housing, quality […]


Low Income Children Deserve Better Access to Dental Care

November 11th, 2016 Children's Oral Health and Fluoride, Fluoride and Public Health, Fluoride, Oral Health, and Access to Care

Children

Calls to repeal the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, risk being realized come January 2017, when Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress take their seats. Much remains to be seen, but one thing that is unlikely to change much or change soon is unmet need. Children from families with low incomes, especially those in Black, […]


Fluoride Really Saved our Teeth

July 18th, 2016 Children's Oral Health and Fluoride, Facts about Fluoride, Fluoride and Public Health, Fluoride, Oral Health, and Access to Care, What the Experts Say about Fluoride

Maria Marquez is a pediatrician in the nation’s capital and a champion of children’s oral health. She knows from both professional and personal experience how much difference water with fluoride means to the health of children’s teeth. That’s why she shared her personal story with us in this new video, Fluoride Really Saved our Teeth. […]


Troubled Waters in Flint

February 23rd, 2016 Fluoride and Public Health

Contributed by: Brittany Seymour, DDS, MPH, with acknowledgements to Janice Cho and Brittanie Dillon We may not have consensus on the definition of social justice, or how to achieve it, but certainly we can agree what’s transgressed in Flint, Michigan is a true mark of social injustice. Over a decade ago, financial crises paved the […]


Lessons to Guide Local Advocates

January 26th, 2016 Facts about Fluoride, Fluoride and Public Health, What the Experts Say about Fluoride

Although most attempts to end community water fluoridation (CWF) fail, these challenges continue to arise. Over the past 12 months, critics have attacked the practice in a number of communities — from Denver, Colorado to Collier County, Florida. Fortunately, the scientific evidence is on our side. But is that enough? Sometimes the science is enough […]


A Perfect Smile Comes at a Cost: How Poverty and Food Insecurity Cement Disparities in Oral Health

July 8th, 2015 Children's Oral Health and Fluoride, Fluoride and Public Health, Fluoride, Oral Health, and Access to Care

Contributed by Qadira Ali Huff, MD, MPH Overview- Why This Matters: A picture-perfect smile falls just out of reach for many children living in poverty. Dental caries is the most common chronic childhood disease, and the burden of dental caries falls disproportionately on low-income and minority children (Dye et al. 2012). Children living in poverty […]