On Monday, May 13, the city commission in Abilene, Kansas, voted to reinstate water fluoridation after having voted a few weeks earlier to end the practice. The turnaround didn’t happen on its own. Local health professionals, spearheaded by Dr. Beatrice Brittan — an Abilene dentist — played a pivotal role in the commission’s decision to reverse itself. In this blog article, Dr. Brittan explains what motivated her to get involved.
As dental professionals, we have a profound responsibility to advocate for the health of our communities, particularly regarding public oral health issues. Each of us has completed comprehensive public health education during our dental training, which equips us to be proactive rather than reactive. I initially anticipated being the face of my dental practice, engaging with patients and leading the charge on oral hygiene education. However, I never envisioned that I would become a prominent advocate for a critical public health initiative that has benefited my hometown for over thirty years. Numerous studies consistently demonstrate that individuals—especially children—who consume fluoridated water develop stronger teeth, significantly reducing their risk of dental decay and associated health complications.
When our city commission made the decision to cease water fluoridation, I felt an urgent obligation to advocate for reinstating this essential public health measure. As a dental professional, inaction was not an option for me. I would not be able to respect my role or my profession if I stood by silently while our community’s health was at stake. I believe that a dental professional’s integrity is called into question if they do not take an active role in promoting public health initiatives that directly impact the residents of their community.
The primary challenge we faced was a significant lack of education and awareness about the benefits of water fluoridation. Fortunately, I received invaluable support from my state dental association and dedicated dental advocacy groups. It became clear that there are far more supporters of fluoridation than there are those who oppose it based on unfounded conspiracy theories. I took it upon myself to engage in both public and private discussions with key decision-makers, urging fellow health professionals to contribute their insights and mobilizing a coordinated response to counter the city commission’s initial decision.
Through our collective efforts, we successfully overturned the vote. This endeavor required considerable hard work and dedication, but the outcome has significantly benefited my practice and my patients’ well-being. Engaging in this advocacy has enhanced my skills as a dental provider, and the genuine appreciation expressed by countless individuals has reaffirmed my belief that this was a crucial battle worth fighting for.