FAN Newsletter

On Wednesday, Dan Stockin of the Georgia-based Lillie Center, announced that Atlanta civil rights leaders, Andrew Young and Dr. Gerald Durley, have called for Georgia legislators to repeal the state's 40 year old mandatory water fluoridation law. A law that disproportionately harms poor citizens and black families, resulting in higher rates of dental fluorosis and overexposure to fluoride in these populations. Both men have expressed concerns about the fairness, safety, and full disclosure regarding fluoridation in letters submitted to the State's minority and majority legislative leaders this week.
This is big news, since both Andrew Young and Dr. Gerald Durley are prominent figures in Georgia, and have both been inductees to the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame. Young is a former U.N. Ambassador and former Mayor of Atlanta, and Reverend Durley is the Pastor of Providence Baptist Church in Atlanta.
Currently, fluoride chemicals, added to 96% of Georgia's public drinking water supplies are meant to prevent tooth decay, especially in the poor. Yet, 61% of low-income Georgia third-graders have tooth decay compared to 51% from higher income families - and 33% and 20%, respectively, have untreated cavities showing a dire need for dental care...........