Flouride vote hinges on .7 % additive

Measure 26-151, better known as the measure to fluoridate Portland’s drinking water, is up for vote this month.
The addition of fluoride, as done by most major American cities, is credited with strengthening tooth enamel, especially in growing children susceptible to tooth decay.
It is supported by advocates at healthykidshealthyportland.org and opposed by foes who align with cleanwaterportland.org.
Supporting statements in the Multnomah County May 21 voters’ guide declare the addition of fluoride is “the most important thing we can do to improve the health of all Portlanders – especially children.” They say, simply, “Fluoridation makes teeth stronger and healthier.”
Opponents’ statements in the voters’ guide warn that fluoridation “is a risk we cannot afford” and that fluoridation chemicals “present a threat to Portland’s clean drinking water and would increase water rates when there are more cost-effective solutions to protect children’s dental health.”
In the same voters’ guide, it is estimated that the cost to design and construct a fluoridation facility would be $5 million, “which the City expects will be funded through adjustments to current and future capital budgets without changing the forecast water rates.”
Still, Portland officials estimate that plant-operating costs would require a 25-cent increase on water users’ monthly bills.
Asked specifically whether she believes the alleged risks of fluoridating drinking water outweigh the benefits, Raye Anne Yapp, director of and instructor for MHCC’s Dental Hygiene program, said, “I do not.
“I hate to negate someone’s opinion, but the hard science does not bear out the risks that (opponents are) bringing up,” she said.
In her 27 years as a dental hygienist, Yapp said she has seen this proposal surface in Portland more than once, but never win approval.
“This is a public health issue. Yes, it’s another cost and yes, some feel it’s another government interference, but this is another fabulous way to improve the public’s health,” Yapp said. “When we take patients, we [hygienists] can tell where a patient was raised for the first few years of their lives.”
That is, patients raised without added fluoride are commonly saddled with poor teeth.
“In a perfect world, we wouldn’t have to put anything in the water,” Yapp said. She explained that while she can respect opponents not wanting any kind of government interference with what goes into the water supply, she believes some government regulation/interference is necessary for the public’s health.
An example of government interference or regulation already taking place is the chlorine and ammonia Portland has long added to its drinking water to kill microorganisms. In areas where fluoride is naturally occurring, east of Colorado, tap water is actually de-fluoridated by local governments.
“Fluoride knits itself into the tooth and forms a stronger crystal. The tooth becomes much harder for life,” said Yapp adding that it’s important to remember “we’re talking about  .7 to one part per million (the amount of fluoride in drinking water if the bill is passed). A little bit goes a long way. The benefit so much outweighs the risks,” Yapp said.
She said she hopes that “people will learn the facts and make an educated decision.”
Many highly accredited institutions and public health organizations also support fluoridating Portland’s water.
Dr. Katrina Hedberg, the state epidemiologist and chief science officer of the Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division, is one such supporter.
In a letter to then-Mayor Sam Adams and City Council members last year, Hedberg said, “We are in a dental health crisis in Oregon. Our ‘Smile Survey’ results show that among Oregon first- through third-grade children, 64 percent of kids had cavities, 36 percent had untreated tooth decay, and 20 percent, or one in five, had rampant decay (seven or more decayed teeth).
“We rank near the bottom of states in the U.S. on children’s dental health,” Hedberg wrote.
She continued: “Tooth decay is a serious problem and fluoridation is an effective, affordable and, most importantly, safe way to improve the public’s health.”