Fluoridation: Mature thought of it first

Goal of public health
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Terms in this set (22)
Goal of public health
Goal is to improve the health of a population

It values the "collective good"
3 criteria to justify public health
1. reduction of ill health
2. reduction of health disparities
3. concern for children who constitute a vulnerable group
Toxicity
Dosage related

All Substances are poisons: there is none which is not a poison. The right dose differentiates a poison and a remedy
Good oral health: E.P.A
education
prevention
access to care
oral disease learning
- Cannot have good health without good oral health
- Healthy kids learn better
- Cannot drill our way out of this "mess"
- Prevention is key
water fluoridation definition
Fluoridation is the adjustment, either of the existing naturally occurring fluoride levels in drinking water to an optimal level that has been determined by our public health experts in the U.S.
Father of fluoridation: Frederick McKay
1901-1931: 30 years it took to figure out that it was the fluoride in the water.

1939: To figure out what the optimal level of fluoride in water.
Fluoridation history
Been in practice for 72 years in the U.S.
Grand Rapids, Michigan, fluoridated its public water supply on 25, 1945.
Important public policy issue
Fluoridation is recognized by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control as one of the 10 greatest public health achievements in the 20th Century.
Water fluoridation: History

Dr. C. Everett Koop
U. S. Surgeon General, 1981
"Fluoridation is the single most important commitment a community can make to the oral health of its children and to future generations."
Water fluoridation: History David Satcher, MD, PhD Assistant Secretary for Health & Surgeon General of the U.S"Fluoridation remains an ideal public health measure based on the scientific evidence in preventing dental decay and its impressive cost effectiveness."Water Fluoridation: Current Statement Vivek H. Murthy MD, MBA, Public Health Reports July/Aug 2015"Community water fluoridation is one of the most practical, cost effective, equitable, and safe measures communities can take to prevent tooth decay and improve oral health."U.S. Comm. Preventive Services Taskforce, Recommendations Reaffirmed Sept. 12, 2014:1. Community Water Fluoridation is RECOMMENDED based on STRONG EVIDENCE of effectiveness in reducing cavities across populations. 2. Evidence shows the prevalence of cavities is substantially lower in communities with community water fluoridation (CWF) 3. There is NO EVIDENCE that CWF results in severe fluorosis.Fluoridation/fluoride works"Because frequent exposure to small amounts of fluoride each day will best reduce the risk for dental caries in all age groups, the work group recommends that all persons drink water with optimal fluoride concentration,...."Baby Boomer Tsunami- The coming tsunami - 75% of boomers approaching retirement have less than $30,000.00 in their bank accounts. - Upon retirement, most will lose their dental insurance.Water fluoridation works in two ways- Delivered through water supply - Through direct contact with teethNIDCR Cavity Study"Recent Trends in Dental Caries in U.S Children and the Effect of Water Fluoridation" - From NHANES I (1979-80) to NHANES II (1987): mean Decayed, Missing, Filled Surfaces (DMFS) of adult teeth in children ages 5-17 - Children who were continuously exposed to CWF: 18% reduction in DMFS - When some of the "background" effect of topical fluoride was controlled, the difference in DMFS increased to 25%Effectiveness increases with ageCaries prevention associated with water fluoridation increases with age.Dental fluorosisOpponents: "Chronic Fluorine Poisoning" Proponents: "A cosmetic marker":fluoride is ingested at level >.05-.07/mg/kg/day in first 8 years of life.Iowa Fluoride Study"It is important to understand that fluorosis is not a disease, and that any child with these milder forms of fluorosis will also benefit from fluoride's protection against tooth decay." Iowa Fluoride Study: 1993-ongoing. 10 NIH grants have supported this important research.3 Key observations-It's much easier to scare the public than unscare the public. - The support for fluoridation is a mile wide, but the passion is an inch deep while the opposition support is an inch wide,...... - Stopping a fluoridation program can be as difficult as starting a fluoridation program.Understanding Fluoridation Science"A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes".