Information about Fluoride

State Law vests all power regarding the decision to add or remove fluoride from the public water supply in the voters of the communities served by that public water supply. Neither the Orono Town Council or the Orono-Veazie Water District Board of Trustees have taken a position on this question; rather, both organizations have stated that the referendum makes sense given recent community interest in this topic and the fact that the last public vote on this issue occurred nearly sixty years ago. This question can only appear during a State General Election, so it will not go to voters before November 2022.

History of Fluoride

  • Orono-Veazie Water District began adding hydrofluorosilicic acid in 1962
    • Current system level is 0.7 parts per million (ppm)
  • 129 Maine communities add fluoride to the public water supply

Why Add Fluoride?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), water fluoridation began in the1930’s to protect teeth from decay by providing frequent and consistent contact with low levels of fluoride.  The CDC also states that although there are other fluoride-containing products, community water fluoridation is the most cost effective method of delivering fluoride to all and reducing tooth decay by 25% in children and adults.

Proponents of Fluoridation

Centers for Disease Control
www.cdc.gov/fluoridation

American Dental Association
www.mouthhealthy.org

American Public Health Association
www.alpha.org/fluoridation

Why Stop Fluoridation?

According to the Fluoride Action Network, adding fluoride to the public water supply is bad medical practice for the following reasons:

  • It's the only chemical added to water for the purpose of medical treatment and doses cannot be controlled
  • Fluoride accumulates in the body and causes serious medical problems
  • No longer necessary with all the fluoride products available

Opponents of Fluoridation

Fluoride Action Network 
www.fluoridealert.org