The Colorado Dental Hygienists’ Association opposes the November 7th Ballot Issue #2B in Boulder entitled “AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR ASSURANCE OF THE QUALITY OF SUBSTANCES ADDED TO BOULDER’S WATER SUPPLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF TREATING HUMANS” Our opposition to the initiative is for two fundamental reasons.
First, passage of this ordinance will do nothing to assure Boulder citizens of safer water, which is already very safe and healthful. The language of the ordinance and on the ballot itself implies that fluoridation adds substances (like lead and arsenic) to Boulder’s tap water supply at levels which are dangerous. This is simply not true. Boulder’s drinking water is tested before fluoridation and after and the process adds nothing to the levels of lead and arsenic. Boulder’s water meets all state and federal requirements for safe drinking water.
Second, passage of this ordinance repeals fluoridation in Boulder and makes it impossible to return it to Boulder’s water. Boulder fluoridates to supplement its naturally occurring levels of fluoride in order to bring it up to levels that are optimal for the prevention of tooth decay and strengthening the enamel of teeth in children. The level of fluoride that Boulder uses is also well below the level that would cause any cosmetic defects to the teeth of children. Those levels are one-tenth the level where there is any concern over fluoride, and one-fourth the level permitted by the Environmental Protection Agency.
CDHA unreservedly supports community water fluoridation because it is a safe and effective tool for reducing dental decay, a serious disease which affects not only teeth, but general health and well-being. It is also the single most cost-effective dental public health measure, and the only way to reach nearly everyone who needs it in a community, especially children.
Dental Hygienists, as oral health care preventive specialists, see the benefits of fluoride on teeth of people with optimal levels of fluoride in their water supply. Alas, we also see the damage which occurs with teeth where this protection is not widely available through water fluoridation. The needless pain and suffering, especially of children, is heart-breaking to us.
It would be foolish for any community that needs fluoridation to give it up, especially when there is no good reason to do so. Dental Hygienists strongly urge the citizens of Boulder to VOTE NO on #2B and continue to protect the dental health of everyone!
This message is from the Vote No on 2B Committee,
supported by the many very concerned health professionals serving the people of Boulder.
