Hawaii - Your Views

Fluoride needed

State Sen. Karl Rhoads’ proposal that tiny amounts of fluoride be added to public drinking water is long overdue, and children, as well as family budgets, are suffering.

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Since 1945, fluoridation has proven to be a cheap but effective way to significantly reduce tooth decay not only in children but in adults as well. I hate to read that our keiki have the worst dental health in the country!

Having spent much of my childhood drinking nonfluoridated water, I can bear witness to the pain of having many cavities. I hated the drilling, and sometimes even the extraction, of diseased teeth. The common sight of relatives’ dentures soaking was a warning to me of what nonfluoridated water could do to teeth.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring and common part of the natural environment, and the very small amount that is added to drinking water would save families from many unneeded dental procedures.

Perhaps Sen. Rhoads could explore the practicality of making fluoride available for use by catchment owners as well?

Nan Sumner-Mack