We should already be fluoridated

Have 60 years of scientific study taught us anything? Community water fluoridation is one of the most thoroughly studied issues out there (check with a credible source — the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), yet false claims of negative effects still appear time and time again. The fact is that the overwhelming weight of scientific evidence has shown that community water fluoridation is absolutely safe and effective.  Dental decay is reduced by up to 40 percent and fluoridation costs almost nothing. We have a nonprofit foundation that is willing to pay for the equipment.

It’s amazing to me that we are still writing about this on the Letters to the Editor page in the Skagit Valley Herald. We should be fluoridated by now. We should be writing about how much our dental and medical bills have been reduced, thanks to the forward-thinking actions of our county Board of Health.

We should be writing about how our hospitals’ emergency room doctors are seeing fewer kids with rampant dental decay enter their doors in pain. We should be writing about how our seniors are living longer and keeping many more of their teeth than a couple generations back.

Should, should, should. Instead, we’ve watched our PUD sit on this issue for more than a year. How many dollars spent on dental and medical bills could have been saved in that year? The science is clear — fluoridation works.

Susan Wilson
Mount Vernon


National interest takes priority?

The Chinese official’s comment that “the audience will understand that it is in the national interest” shows that “face” takes precedence over honesty.

So now steroids are OK for athletes because of national interest?

James D. Krueger, M.D.
La Conner


Past time for PUD to fluoridate

As a dentist who has served the Skagit Valley for more than 25 years, I want to explain what fluoride is and how it benefits your teeth — and your overall health.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring compound that can help prevent dental decay. Fluoride occurs naturally in water at varying concentrations.

The general term fluoride describes a compound of which the element fluorine is one part. Naturally occurring fluorine is the 13th most abundant element in the Earth’s crust.

For optimal oral health, your teeth need to receive fluoride in two very important ways: directly on the surface of the tooth, and through your system to strengthen teeth from the inside. Fluoride toothpaste and dental treatments are great for bringing high concentrations of fluoride directly to teeth. But these methods are not very effective at providing fluoride systematically.

Drinking water with adequate fluoride works both on the tooth surface and systematically by providing you with a very small yet regular amount that helps build and maintain strong teeth.

I have personally seen the effect of fluoridated water on teeth. I grew up and was trained and practiced in Indiana. I also served with the U.S. Public Health Service in New Mexico. Patients that live in areas that have naturally occurring fluoride or have water supplies that are supplemented with fluoride have significantly less tooth decay.

We deserve the health benefits of fluoridation. We voted on this more than a year ago! It is time for the PUD to show some courage and resolve the issue.

Dennis Edmonds, D.D.S. M.S.
Mount Vernon