Once again, our communities are being confronted by antifluoridationists who are providing misinformation to residents in York County regarding water fluoridation. In the Aug. 11 edition of the Journal Tribune, and in subsequent articles published on Aug. 15 and 18, it was reported that the KKW Water District supports the November referendum to remove fluoride from the water system, which would impact the residents of seven York County communities.

The individuals leading this battle are posing a serious threat to the oral health of our community members and particularly our children. The benefits of supplementing community water supplies with fluoride has repeatedly been proven to be a safe and effective way to decrease the decay rate of community members who live in the towns and cities where the water is fluoridated.

I also have concerns regarding the part Norm Labbe, who serves as superintendent of the KKW Water District, is playing in this issue. Mr. Labbe’s perspective and opinion on fluoridation has been extensively publicized despite his own acknowledgment that he is not a medical professional. He should leave the interpretation and dissemination of the research on fluoride to those who can competently interpret it. I also feel strongly that it is inappropriate for him to be using his role at the water district and its newsletter as a platform to share his opinion.

Evidence-based research has been conducted extensively, and has repeatedly revealed the positive health benefits and safety of water fluoridation. Research conducted over many years has led to the ongoing recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Family Physicians, amongst others, to continue fluoridating our water supplies.

In addition, the U.S. Surgeon General has identified low community water fluoride levels as one of the chief risk factors related to the prevalence of decay in young children. Most people do not know that dental decay is the most common chronic disease found in children in the U.S., and it is increasing in prevalence.

The KKW Water District stated in their newsletter that the issue regarding water fluoridation “is about more than the statistical reduction of cavities in the general population.” Indeed, there are concerns beyond reducing cavities, and this includes dental decay’s role in a child’s failure to thrive as well as its effect on a child’s appearance, self-esteem, speech, and school performance.

Mr. Labbe and the KKW Water District is purporting that fluoride is harmful to people and will cause destruction of the human endocrine system. There is simply no strong evidence to support this idea, and there exists only weak scientific evidence to support their claims. In fact, there is no evidence-based research that has found fluoride in community water supplies causes any detrimental effect on the health and well-being of human beings.

As a practicing registered dental hygienist for over 35 years, professor of dental hygiene, health professions researcher, and most of all as a mother and community member who cares about the oral health of our children, I urge the residents of York, Ogunquit, Wells, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Arundel and Biddeford to learn the facts about water fluoridation and to vote in November to retain this safe and effective health-promoting practice.

Dianne L. Smallidge,
RDH, MDH, Wells