Having attended the Clearfield City Council meeting where the decision was made "to help any citizen group organize a campaign to stop water fluoridation" and subsequently reading Councilman Curtis Oda's comments in the newspaper, I feel compelled to respond.
I am a member and former chairwoman of the Davis County Board of Health. As such, Mr. Oda vilified me several times to the council and reported to the Deseret News that I "purposefully gave false data to the news media and public." Council members also skewered the Health Department for presenting "propaganda" to residents that misled them to vote favorably for fluoridation. These accusations are nonsense!
The Board and Department of Health take seriously the charge given to "inform and advise the public concerning activities [they] can engage in to protect their health" (Utah Code, Title 26A-1-114). This is why we have promoted water fluoridation and why we have sought to inform county residents with the most current data from the most credible sources. We have investigated water fluoridation across the country and, in Utah, searched the scientific literature and estimated costs based on other communities' experiences. We have also been advised by the most prestigious and well-regarded federal institution for public health information, the Centers for Disease Control.
Our message has been that water fluoridation is safe and inexpensive and prevents tooth decay in children and adults. Because Mr. Oda rejects this information, he calls it propaganda. By condemning the Health Department, Mr. Oda also denounces the scientific and medical/dental communities which overwhelmingly give the same message. This includes nearly 250 Davis County doctors and dentists, the Primary Children's Medical Center, the American Medical Association, the American Dental Association and virtually every other credible scientific and medical organization in the country.
The reality is that Mr. Oda is out of his league. He places himself above doctors, dentists, health scientists and environmental scientists. And, when presented with evidence contrary to the scientifically invalid claims of the antifluoride crowd, he claims it is false. Furthermore, he cannot accept the results of a legally held election unless every registered voter has voted and the results are in agreement with his thinking.
As an observer of Clearfield's actions, I was embarrassed by the rush to judgment made by council members. I am curious if they have discussed fluoridation with well-qualified medical, dental and scientific experts, those with degrees and a high regard among their peers. I also wonder if council members are really comfortable with the mantra they have accepted: elected officials who have publicly conspired to overturn a vote of the people. This with an arrogance that they are "privy to more accurate information than the general public" and the promise to provide legal counsel at tax payees expense. Clearfield residents should be outraged!
Beth Beck is former chairwoman of the Davis County Board of Health.