We take this responsibility seriously. We know it to be safe, extremely economical, and the only effective way to help all our children, and adults, avoid the diseases associated with dental decay, such as abscesses and periodontal disease. A healthy dentition is the only way to eat healthy. A poor diet leads to a myriad of stomach ailments from ulcers and polyps, to cancers. Dental decay is disease, a very preventable disease much like polio or measles.
Every child is susceptible and none are immune to dental problems.
As with polio or measles, we can essentially innoculate our children to make their teeth stronger using the proper doses of fluoride. Fluoride also strengthens bones. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that does not cause allergies, nor is it a poison when used at the appropriate levels. The county commissioners chose not to allow this issue to go to the voters and the consensus is that an initiative petition is not only impractical, but is not allowable by law. Our Board is the policy-making arm of our county government concerning health issues.