Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health Support topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Local dentists and parents tell Monroe council fluoridation is safe and cost-effective
Summary
Health professionals and several residents urged the council to keep fluoride in the water, citing endorsements from public-health bodies and a cost comparison showing fluoridation as the less expensive option to prevent cavities.
Several health professionals and residents spoke during the meeting in favor of keeping fluoride in Monroe's municipal water supply and asked the council to weigh evidence from established public-health organizations.
A speaker identifying herself as "Doctor Hibbert" of the Dental House told the council that fluoridation "has been proven to be safe and effective at reducing cavities across the general population" and cited endorsements from the CDC, WHO, the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. She also provided a cost example: "for a family of 4... about $4.40 to add it to the water supply" versus about $250 a year for supplements and office visits.
Supporters also noted community-equity concerns if fluoridation were removed, saying the measure helps families who lack regular dental care. Heather Westgard said she collected 136 signatures in favor of retaining fluoridation and urged the council to survey residents before making changes. Those in favor asked the council to consider the public-health consensus and to allow technical staff to present data rather than making a rapid policy change based on individual reports.
