Everett, and the majority of the nation’s cities should be commended for committing to improve the oral health of all of their residents through community water fluoridation. The Everett water system supplies water to most of Snohomish County (more than 550,000 residents) through a network of local water providers.
Fluoridation is an effective, cost effective, and safe way to reduce tooth decay rates by about 25 percent. And every person in the community — young and old, rich and poor, those with insurance and those without — receive fluoride’s benefits by simply drinking water. Additionally, the price tag for water fluoridation is miniscule compared to the cost of treating cavities later on. The annual average cost to fluoridate is less than $1 per person per year, while the cost of treating each cavity over a lifetime is about $2,000.
Every dollar invested in fluoridation saves around $38 in dental treatment costs. For a family, this translates into a savings of hundreds of dollars a year. Taxpayers save money too because poor oral health doesn’t just affect teeth; dental disease is linked to a variety of health problems including heart disease, strokes, and diabetes that are expensive to treat. Low-income people also may seek care in the emergency room for painful dental problem. So, money is saved when preventing dental disease is a priority.
As a family physician I have seen patients from communities with and without water fluoridation. In my experience, those who receive the benefits of community water fluoridation have less decay and are much healthier. Kids from non-fluoridated communities will not only have more cavities now but also are far more likely to have problems with oral health and face higher treatment costs throughout their life. Unfortunately, this is the probable fate of children in communities like Portland, Ore., that reject water fluoridation.
Given decades of experience and countless studies proving it is safe, it is puzzling that there are still people opposed to water fluoridation. Just last year a handful of activists pressed Everett’s local officials to stop fluoridating. Fortunately, common sense prevailed and fluoridation continues. It is important to realize and remind others that water fluoridation is effective, cost-effective and safe. Communities must not be complacent when a few misinformed people pressure officials to reconsider their important commitment to protect the public’s health.
In fact, more and more Americans are receiving the benefits of fluoridated water each year. Cities such as Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Jose have reviewed the scientific evidence and recently voted to fluoridate their water supplies. Like Everett and Monroe, these cities recognize the importance of protecting the oral health – and overall health of residents.
There are more than 3,000 studies documenting the benefits of water fluoridation. The U.S. Surgeon General and a host of public health experts including medical and dental groups like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Institute of Medicine strongly endorse fluoridating water to improve oral health. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified fluoridation as one of the Top 10 Public Health Achievements of the twentieth century.
More than 200 million people throughout the U.S. have been receiving the health benefits of fluoride for decades and there have been absolutely no adverse effects. The practice is safe and effective — and we have more than 65 years of experience to prove it.
Twenty years ago, Everett embraced one of the most beneficial public health measures of all time and voted to fluoridate. It was a good choice. Community water fluoridation is a wise investment that pays health dividends now and also in the future.
Dr. Nalty is a family practice physician with Providence Physician Group in Monroe.
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