The Media and I: Fluoridation
Water fluoridation transformed dental care, saved billions of dollars, and inspired an iconic scene in a Hollywood satire (“Dr. Strangelove”). Yet, some eight decades after it was first introduced, fluoridation is still the subject of conspiracy theories and political posturing.
John Batchelor kicked things off with a personal anecdote — as a child in the 1950s, cavities were common for him, but his children, born in the 1990s, had virtually none. He asked why this shift.
I outlined how fluoridation of water, fluoride in toothpaste, and treatments by dentists have transformed dental health. As a result, the incidence of cavities plummeted, saving billions in dental costs and preventing broader health issues like gum disease, which can lead to heart problems.
John asked about the uneven adoption of fluoridation across U.S. states and whether fluoridation remains a point of contention. The answer is that poorer states, often lacking fluoridation, suffer the most, leaving vulnerable populations at greater risk. Like vaccine skepticism, it is frequently the subject of a pseudo-debate fueled by misinformation such as a controversial 2019 paper on fluoride and IQ, which failed to account for confounding factors.
John and I both recalled the absurd anti-fluoride scene in Dr. Strangelove, which lampooned fears that persist today.
You can hear our entire conversation here.
Looking for more?
Water Fluoridation: Science, Myths, and Public Health Realities
The Fluoride Controversy Never Dies
Thinking Out Loud: The Ethics in Community Water Fluoridation
