The Digital Courier: North Carolina Dentists Fight for Fluoride

Dec 5, 2024
The NC Dental Society continues fight for fluoridated community water systems. Dr. Roslyn Crisp (Burlington), current President of the NC Dental Society highlights the importance of fluoride for children and adults to prevent tooth decay.

CARY — The North Carolina Dental Society (NCDS), which represents the majority of practicing dentists in the state, strongly supports the use of fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral, in community water systems as a safe, effective, and scientifically proven method for preventing tooth decay. For more than 75 years, public water systems nationwide have adjusted the naturally occurring fluoride levels in drinking water to optimal levels, significantly reducing tooth decay and improving public health outcomes for children and adults alike, according to a press release from the society , “Scientific studies prove fluoride benefits both children and adults, particularly those without regular access to dental care,” said Dr. Roslyn Crisp, president of the North Carolina Dental Society and pediatric dentist in Burlington. “Community water fluoridation helps bridge the gap for underserved communities, reducing health disparities and promoting long-term oral health.”

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recognizes community water fluoridation as one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. With support from the CDC and the U.S. Public Health Service, fluoride is maintained in public water at an optimal level of 0.7 parts per million, according to the press release.

“To put that in context, if we were discussing money, we’d be talking about 70 cents out of $1 million,” said Crisp.

This level is equivalent to just 70 cents out of every $1 million in water supply, providing an affordable and effective solution for tooth decay prevention, according to the press release.

The American Dental Association also supports community water fluoridation as a key component of oral health, highlighting its role as a cost-effective and socially equitable public health measure. Community water fluoridation has been rigorously tested and upheld in U.S. courts as a scientifically valid means of promoting public health, according to the press release.

In an effort to improve public health across the state, the North Carolina Dental Society urges local governments and water system agencies to continue fluoridating public water supplies to safeguard the oral health of all residents. The NCDS remains committed to ensuring that safe, effective, and scientifically supported measures, like community water fluoridation, remain accessible for future generations. For more information and resources regarding fluoride, visit NCDS Fluoride Resources, according to the press release.