July 25, 2010 in City
Sandpoint ends fluoridation
The Sandpoint City Council has voted to quit adding fluoride to the municipal water system that also serves communities from Kootenai to Dover.
The 4-2 vote last week followed comments by more than a dozen people arguing against fluoridation at the meeting. Some who spoke out against fluoridation said they were being medicated against their will, the Bonner Daily Bee reported.
Fluoride is added to drinking water to help reduce tooth decay. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists fluoridation of public water supplies as one of the “10 great public health achievements of the 20th Century,” along with such things as seat belts, vaccines and anti-smoking campaigns.
Of Americans served by public water systems, about 69 percent drink fluoridated water, according to 2006 statistics from the CDC. In Idaho, the figure was 31 percent, and in Washington, nearly 63 percent.
Fluoride is added to water supplies in Lewiston and Bonners Ferry, Idaho, but not in Spokane or Coeur d’Alene. Spokane County voters have repeatedly rejected fluoridation, most recently in 2000. Seattle voted to fluoridate its water 40 years ago.

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almerkel on July 25 at 10:34 p.m.
It is too bad that a few people do not understand why modern health remedies have prevented much of the misery people do not have to feel that was common in 1900. This is just one more example of the irrational fear people have for things that are modern and good. Too bad for the people of Sandpoint
lisac on July 25 at 10:50 p.m.
Actually, I disagree - Fluoride is not a good thing to be taken. It actually adds to the resistance of antibiotics and assists in creating super-bugs. The same is also true for hand sanitizers. Sadly, our government is now operated by the pharmacutical companies who make money when people are sick, and/or buying their “remedies”. We are a pill-popping, diet-food-devouring, medicate-me-to-fix-me society, and yet, our life expectancy has gone down year after year. So, congrats to Sandpoint for doing one more thing for your health!
nyscof on July 26 at 4:12 a.m.
Modern science indicates that ingesting fluoride does not reduce tooth decay but does contribute to fluoride’s adverse effects such as dental fluorosis - white spotted,yellow, brown and/or pitted teeth.
This makes fluoridation obsolete. Fluoride can harden outer enamel by topical application of highly concentrated fluoride products such as toothpaste (but don’t swallow it - it’s a poison) or dental treatments.
Fluoride is neither a nutrient nor essential for healthy teeth and it was a huge mistake to use the water supply as a vehicle for dispensing this drug.
Dental health crises are occurring in all fluoridated cities, states and countries See http://www.FluorideNews.Blogspot.com
The CDC reports that up to 48% of US children sport dental fluorosis - 4% severe. Fluoridation has created a lucrative market for dentists to cover up fluorosis which can cost up to $10,000 and more if veneers are used.
Other adverse health effects of fluoride http://www.FluorideAction.Net/health
oneanddone on July 26 at 5:57 a.m.
Ah-ha. Nothing like kicking the internet-whack-job nest, ‘ey?
MrNatural on July 26 at 8:40 a.m.
…Mandrake!…we must protect our precious bodily fluids or the communists win!…Gen. Jack D. Ripper.