1) The document discusses community water fluoridation as an effective way to prevent tooth decay and promote oral health. It provides statistics showing the benefits of fluoridated water in reducing cavities.
2) Despite these benefits, nearly 74 million Americans do not have access to fluoridated water. The document launches a national campaign called the Campaign for Dental Health to advocate for water fluoridation and improve public understanding of this issue.
3) The campaign aims to create a network of fluoride advocates, improve online information about water fluoridation, and provide materials to support state and local advocacy efforts.
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1. Tackling a Winnable Battle:
Partners for Oral Health
Matt Jacob
Priester Health Conference
April 11, 2012
www.pewcenteronthestates.com
2. Americas oral health: steady progress
Percentage of Children Who Were Cavity-Free
(Permanent or Adult Teeth)
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
1971-73 1979-80 1986-87 1988-94 1999-2002
Ages 5-17 Ages 6-19
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3. The price and pain of tooth decay
Each year, Americans spend
roughly $50 billion to treat
decayed teeth.
2007 survey: nearly 1 out of 9
children had suffered a toothache
in the previous six months.
830,000+ Americans visited
hospital ERs in 2009 for dental
problems that were preventable.
This was a 16% jump from 2006.
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5. Key facts about fluoridation
Fluoride exists naturally in nearly all
water supplies. Fluoridation is simply
adjusting fluoride to the optimal level
that protects teeth from decay.
The first city to fluoridate its public
water system was Grand Rapids, Mich.,
in 1945.
Fluoridated water reduces tooth decay
by 25%. In recent years, new studies
have strengthened the evidence behind
fluoridation.
72 percent of Americans whose homes
are connected to a public water system
receive fluoridated water.
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6. How fluoridation works
Fluoride in water mixes with
saliva and coats teeth. These
minute levels of fluoride re-
mineralize the enamel of teeth,
protecting against decay.
Only a minute level of fluoride
is needed to reach optimal
fluoridation. Federal health
officials have recommended a
level of 0.7 parts per million.
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7. Who supports water fluoridation?
American Academy of Pediatrics Institute of Medicine
American Dental Association American Public Health Association
Centers for Disease Control and National Consumers League
Prevention
Council of State Governments
American Academy of Family Physicians
American Society for Clinical Nutrition
American Medical Association
American Academy of Physician Florida Department of Elder Affairs
Assistants The Linus Pauling Institute
U.S. Task Force on Community
Preventive Services
American Association for the
Advancement of Science
World Health Organization
Office of Health Affairs, U.S. Department
of Defense
The CDC has named fluoridation
American Academy of Public Health
one of 10 great public health
Dentistry achievements of the 20th century
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8. Ample room for improvement
74 million Americans
on public water systems lack access to optimally fluoridated water
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9. The publics information gap
58% of Maryland residents How Informed Are You
couldnt identify the
purpose for adjusting the About Fluoridation?
Survey of 1,503 adults (2010)
fluoride in public drinking
water.
Very
20%
80% of Americans admit Informed
they have a low level of
knowledge about Somewhat
fluoridation. 54%
Informed
Not at All
26%
Informed
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11. A web of misinformation
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12. Creating fear, distorting science
The Claim: Children are over-exposed to
fluoride and it causes a condition called
fluorosis.
The Facts:
Nearly all fluorosis in the U.S. is a mild,
cosmetic condition that leaves faint white
streaks on teeth.
Mild fluorosis does not cause pain and
does not affect the health or function of
the teeth.
Fluorosis exists in many areas, including
She has fluorosis
countries with no water fluoridation.
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14. Distorting the facts
l Dr. Heyd was AMA president in 1936-37, many years before any
U.S. city started fluoridating its water. His opposition was not
based on the latest medical research.
l The AMA supports water fluoridation.
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16. A national campaign is launched
The Campaign for Dental Health
(ILikeMyTeeth.org)
1. Create a network of CWF
advocates who can share ideas
and support one another
2. Improve the quality and
accuracy of web content about
oral health and CWF
3. Provide state and local
advocates with fact sheets and
other communication materials
www.pewcenteronthestates.com
17. Some of our campaign partners
A campaign with diverse partners:
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21. Is your water fluoridated?
Find out by going online and entering into your
search engine these words: my waters fluoride
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22. Share the facts in your community
1. The leading health and medical experts agree that
fluoridation is a safe and effective way to prevent
tooth decay.
2. Fluoridated water benefits people of all ages and
incomes without requiring them to spend extra
money or change their routine.
3. Every $1 invested in fluoridated water saves $38 by
eliminating the need for fillings and other, more
costly dental treatments.
www.pewcenteronthestates.com
23. Keep informed . . .
of these and other oral health issues by
receiving Pew's monthly e-newsletter
Dental News & Views.
Send an email to mjacob@pewtrusts.org
with the words Sign me up"
in the subject line.
www.pewcenteronthestates.com
Editor's Notes
Here is what this anti-fluoride site neglects to tell visitors. Dr. Heyd (rhymes with played) was the AMAs president back in the 1930s, long before water fluoridation began. There were many people at this point in history that had serious doubts about fluoridation. But once fluoridation began and studies validated its benefits, the leading health and medical experts across America agreed this was a wise public health practice. The AMA remains a supporter of fluoridation.
Here is what this anti-fluoride site neglects to tell visitors. Dr. Heyd (rhymes with played) was the AMAs president back in the 1930s, long before water fluoridation began. There were many people at this point in history that had serious doubts about fluoridation. But once fluoridation began and studies validated its benefits, the leading health and medical experts across America agreed this was a wise public health practice. The AMA remains a supporter of fluoridation.