ADA Hosts Celebration of 70 Years of Water Fluoridation

Marking an important public health anniversary, 90 people from 28 states and two countries came together at the American Dental Association (ADA) Headquarters on September 11-12 to celebratewater fluoridation and the positive effect it has had on the public’s oral health.

Dr Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sent greetings via a video in which he noted that fluoridation is everything a public health intervention should be — cost effective, equitable, safe and highly impactful.

Dr Raymond Gist, 2010-11 ADA president, provided his perspective on the history of fluoridation and was followed by Evanston, Illinois, Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl who discussed the role Evanston played in early fluoridation trials in the 1940s. Dr Chase Klinesteker provided the Grand Rapids story and discussed his experience as a child participant in the Grand Rapids fluoridation trial.

The remainder of the day-and-a-half event was dedicated to discussing the current science surrounding fluoridation, sharing legislative and legal strategies, and focusing efforts on securing water fluoridation for U.S. communities with expert panelists and presenters. Additional information can be found here.

The American Dental Association donated the use of its facilities and additional in-kind services for the success of the symposium. and it got $35,000 donation from other sources to make it a success

Wish we had rich sponsors like that.