USA - Letter: Not surprised by fluoride vote

To the editor:

To the gentleman who expressed surprise that the anti fluoride question received an amazing 800 votes to stop the adding of toxic waste to our pristine water (”Anti-flouride push drew surpassing vote,” May 9), we are not surprised. The evidence presented to these voters was sound. The keenest of our population were convinced that the revelations by the best scientists in this world proved that this old practice was deleterious and should stop.

When discussing this stunning result with people, I asked many of them, often in the face of their discussions with their own doctors and dentists whom they trust and admire, why they made their own decisions in this particular case. Some of them said they had been unwilling to vote it in when it passed in 1982. Others felt that the research by noted researchers and other whole countries and sections of the world were proof that it was both unnecessary and possibly dangerous. They found out that even after these countries ceased fluoridating their water, caries did not increase. The world’s hygiene has improved greatly. There is more running water in the homes. They also saw and read about children being over-fluoridated and getting fluorosis -- often an unsightly marring of the tooth enamel to the point where they were reluctant to smile. These were our own precious children in an already complicated and not always friendly world.

Older people said their friends were getting ailments which were hard to analyze. When they were given drugs, the side effects were often worse than the ailment. They had to simplify. When information was presented to them and their own research, they had to decide whether they should believe that or continue with the old information. They said it was not an easy decision for them to make and it took courage for them to change their minds. One of the mothers felt that having the option to use fluoridated toothpaste without fear, as long as her children carefully spit out the toothpaste, gave her confidence that she was making a wise and correct decision.

To give up something that was indoctrinated into our minds for so many years is difficult. Eventually Cape Ann will show we have the courage for change.

Inge Sullivan

Rockport