Episode notes

Fluoridation: Science and Facts

Fluoridation is all over the news these days. We’re diving into a conversation about recent developments, what it means for public health, and what’s being done to support our dental communities.

Special Guest: Dr. Scott Tomar

“Why do we put vitamin D in milk? Why do we add iodine to salt? All these things are things where we have good science that these prevent adverse events. And it's the absolute same thing with fluoride. We're just adjusting the level of a mineral that naturally occurs in bodies of water. That's how we learned about it.”

Dr. Scott Tomar

Show Notes

• In this episode of Dental Sound Bites we are talking about fluoridation, a topic all over the news these days. We’re diving into a conversation about recent developments, what it means for public health, and what’s being done to support our dental communities.
• Our guest on this episode is Dr. Scott Tomar, Professor, Associate Dean for Prevention and Public Health Sciences at the University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry. He currently serves on the American Dental Association (ADA) National Fluoridation Advisory Committee and is the ADA spokesperson on community water fluoridation. Dr. Tomar has published about 180 journal articles and book chapters and contributed to seven reports of the US Surgeon General. He is a former editor of Journal of Public Health Dentistry and Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice and has received numerous awards, including International Association for Dental Research’s H. Trendley Dean Distinguished Scientist Award. Dr. Tomar is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Public Health.
• What discoveries guided us to the common practice of water fluoridation? Dr. Tomar shares a brief history and context of the science of fluoridation and the data and decision behind fluoridating our water.
• With fluoride in the headlines, dentists are hearing more skepticism, and some communities are questioning the safety of water fluoridation, with some states and communities even proposing changes to fluoridation policies currently in place. Dr. Tomar explores what is happening with public perception, and why.
• Our guest and hosts explore the future of oral health in the face of rampant misinformation on this issue. How can dentists advocate for fluoride in their communities?
• Dr. Tomar shares how dentists can communicate and advocate for science in plain terms with their patients and help explain and reinforce the scientific evidence that exists on the topic.
• Dr. Tomar also shares that much of the public and some policy makers may not recognize all the ways that oral health is tied to overall health, and that taking fluoridation out of community systems may have a negative and expensive impact overall for our health care system.
• Public health groups, including the World Health Organization, The American Academy of Pediatrics and many others, are strong supporters of public water fluoridation. Check our resources section for a link to the complete list of health groups that support water fluoridation.

Resources

• The ADA reaffirms its fluoridation stance. Learn more, plus read our letter to the Senate Finance Committee here.
• View a fluoridation timeline for community water fluoridation from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Want the detailed history about the why’s and when’s of fluoridation? Check out this book on Fluoridation Facts.
• Read Dr. Tomar’s editorial, My View: We should continue to support community water fluoridation, on ADA News.
• The ADA provides facts, resources for your patients and advocacy for Fluoridation. Learn more about that here.
• Need recommendations for the effective use of fluoride products with your patients? Check out our ADA Fluoride Clinical Guidelines.
• Check out the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Campaign for Dental Health site and blog posts on fluoridation.
• Need more fluoridation resources? The American Fluoridation Society is a good site to visit.
• Watch this ADA video about fluoridation that you can share with patients or on your practice website!
• Connect with Dr. Tomar on LinkedIn, or via email at stomar@uic.edu.