(Austin) — Texas dentists are blasting the proposed removal of fluoride from the state’s drinking water. Fluoridated water is becoming a political issue nationwide, with some opponents suggesting that it’s unsafe. However, officials with the Texas Dental Association (TDA) say that fluoridation is safe and remains a good public health policy.
“Some of the issues that we’re experiencing now is just the rise of misinformation about fluoridation and a lot of that comes from social media,” said Gupta.
TDA member Dr. Shailee Gupta says the removal of fluoride leads to more childhood tooth decay.
“So, I encourage you to read any reports where they’ve removed fluoridation out of the community water and (see) what it’s done to the decay in the community. It’s really severe,” said Gupta.
Dr. Gupta says fluoride misinformation is rampant on social media. She says people should learn the facts about fluoridation. She says it’s both safe and effective. Gupta told lawmakers that putting fluoride in water is no more harmful than iodine in salt or calcium in orange juice. And she added that when it was removed in Buffalo, New York, it was so bad for kids’ oral health, that parents successfully sued to get it back.
“Elected officials are tasked with protecting the public health of their constituencies. Fluoridation is a safe and effective method of doing so,” said Gupta.
Dr. Gupta testified last week before the Texas Senate Health and Human Services Committee, and spoke in opposition to SB 2653, which would prohibit community water fluoridation.
TDA’s mission statement says that it exists to help all TDA member dentists to succeed. The organization is the third largest state dental association in the nation, and it has more than 9,2000 members across the state.