“The effects of that decision are painful. And it's not metaphorically painful. It is unnecessarily, physically painful for people whose dental disease could have been prevented had they had access to fluoridated water,” -Dr. Beatrice Brittan (from NPR website)
The city of Abilene has been adjusting the fluoridation level in its public water supply to the optimal level for over a quarter of a century. In April 2024, the Abilene City Commission voted to stop fluoridating the central Kansas community’s water.
When Dr. Beatrice Brittan heard this news, she knew she had to do something to make sure residents knew what was happening and why it mattered. Dr. Brittan is a dentist and was born and raised in Abilene. After dental school, she searched for a place like her hometown, and then she discovered there was no place like home and moved back in 2023. She opened the Tallgrass Dental office to serve her community.
Dr. Brittan knew the importance of fluoridation in the water for her community, so after the vote, she spent time meeting with the city commissioners. She explained how removing fluoridation from the water supply would have a significant impact on Abilene residents' dental health. She argued that tooth decay is not just a cosmetic concern but could lead to a host of other health problems. She told them that removing fluoride from the water would harm the community’s health, especially children. Dr. Brittan said, “This decision will have lasting negative health consequences on residents of Abilene, particularly those that are most vulnerable and lack independent access to dental care, our children. There are children in this community that struggle to gain access to even the most basic oral hygiene items like toothpaste and toothbrushes. My office and other charities and groups do what we can in community sponsorships and events to help alleviate this struggle, but that alone is not enough.” Her hard work did not go to waste as a month later by vote of 3-2, the City Commission reversed its decision.
• BMC Oral Health 2018, “Consequences of community water fluoridation cessation for Medicaid-eligible children and adolescents in Juneau, Alaska,”
• A tale of two cities, both successful in keeping water fluoridation | American Dental Association
• A Kansas Town's Fight Over Whether To Put Fluoride In Drinking Water Sheds Light On A National Debate
• Wisconsin Rapids will continue to have fluoride added to water supply
• Fluoride stays in Fort Myers water as council listens to dentists