In this series, we explore the contentious findings surrounding fluoridation of the U.S. public water supply and answer the question of whether water fluoridation poses a risk and what we should do about it.
Previously: Fluoridation of the U.S. public water supply has been a polarizing topic both academically and politically since its start in the 1940s. Debate over its benefits and health risks has raged on as the science has continued to unfold. While some studies indicate water fluoridation can reduce cavities, others link it to side effects, including cognitive issues in children.
Public water fluoridation was implemented in the United States in 1954 and was recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the main delivery method of fluoride to improve oral health….