The greatest beneficiaries of fluoridation are low-income residents who can't afford dental care, studies show. But fluoridation opponents cite fringe studies they say dispute the claim that fluoride works at all, and label the chemical a health hazard. Abilene City Hall has 150 reports on file that the anti-fluoride group turned in as a public record. They insist that fluoride causes more health problems than it prevents. Fluoridation programs have gained credibility through a mix of industrial conspiracy and government propaganda, opponents charge.
Opponents also charge that fluoridation is mass medication and a violation of civil rights.
Dr. Kethley argued that fluoride is only a chemical additive, like chlorine, to make water as healthy as possible. Fluoride isn't doing that. It's a preventative measure. Voters have 23 more days to debate the issue before deciding. Kethley said anyone looking for information can log on to the Web sites of the American Dental Association, the Centers for Disease Control or the Texas Department of Health.