I must comment about E.J. Corry's letter (Deseret News Readers' Forum, March 31).
During the recent legislative session, I spent much time calling and e-mailing friends, family and legislators to fight fluoridating Utah's water. Research into the subject shows that fluoride in water is not an effective means of dispensing the medicine. Dosages can't be controlled. Dental disease prevention is haphazard.There is a bigger issue at stake -- free agency.
As it now stands, we all drink water. Those who think fluoride is helpful can obtain it from toothpaste, from rinses, from tablets your doctor, pediatrician or dentist will prescribe. And those who feel differently can just, well, drink the water. There is freedom of choice.
If water is fluoridated, the whole first group who wanted fluoride anyway isn't affected in the slightest. But water is a pretty necessary commodity.
E.J. Corry suggests, "To those who feel it would be infringing upon their rights and freedoms, let them purchase bottled water." Is the cost of a whole family's bottled water every year the same as the cost of a bottle of 1,000 fluoride tablets? (I've purchased such bottles of fluoride tablets, and they cost me $13, with no insurance help.)
There are many other options available. We don't need to make fluoride, which research has shown to be of questionable worth, into a matter of force rather than choice.
Alyson Lee
Fairview