entalist Fear for Nature: Many environmentalists think that fluoride is dangerous to the environment. (see 2A above) D._History of problem: (5)Fluoride was first introduced into public water supplies in 1945. It was hailed as one of the ten greatest health achievements of the last century. As of 1989, 62% of the United States Population lived in areas served by fluoridated drinking water supplies.4._CONFLICTING PLAYERS: A._Dentists: Many dentists can’t afford to accept patients on Medicaid. They support fluoridation because (6) in communities where fluoridation was introduced, tooth decay was reduced by up to 65%. Fluoridation is safe, in order for a small child to experience toxic effects from fluoride; he/she would have to ingest 2 tubes of toothpaste.B. Environmentalists: Most environmentalists are against fluoridation because of much research done to go against fluoridation. They generally dislike adding any outside elements to Nature.C._Charles Cruickshank: The Head of the Water resources department, city of Cashmere. Charles is against fluoridation because not only would he have to put fluoride in at the source, he would have to put it in at different parts of town. He said “if one of those parts was to break down it could put more fluoride in the water than is safe.” Mr. Cruickshank was also cautious when it came to chlorinating parts of the city water districts.D._Alexis Smart: Consumer/Mother against fluoridation. She believes that the problem comes from the poor, young mothers who put pop and kool-aid into baby bottles. E._Children: Many need dental care but generally don’t know what fluoridation is. They are un-knowingly for fluoridation.F._Local and State Government: Don’t like spending millions of tax dollars on Medicaid for dental care. They can see the good that can come from fluoridation.5._CURRENT PUBLIC POLICY:(7) 57.08.012 The policy states that a water district can decide to fluoridate...
