Fluoridation Under Fire—But the Facts Still Hold

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - PrZen -- As debates surrounding fluoride in community water systems resurface, Dr. Moe Anderson, a veteran dentist, author, TEDx speaker, and public health advocate, is speaking out to clarify the facts—and calm the fears.

"Is fluoride in community water harmful? I don't believe it is—and I've been a practicing dentist for over thirty years," says Dr. Anderson. "The science remains overwhelmingly clear: when used at recommended levels, fluoridation is safe, effective, and a major public health victory."

In her widely viewed 2022 TEDx talk, Dr. Anderson spotlighted Grand Rapids, Michigan—the first city in the world to fluoridate its water in 1945—as a case study in successful public health intervention. "Fluoridating water at optimal levels is one of the most cost-effective ways to prevent tooth decay across entire populations," she explains.

Concerns have recently resurfaced following a report from the Department of Health and Human Services' National Toxicology Program. That report noted potential cognitive effects at fluoride levels twice the CDC's recommended standard (≥1.5 mg/L). However, Dr. Anderson emphasizes that U.S. municipal water systems maintain fluoride at 0.7 mg/L, a level deemed safe by the CDC, ADA, and World Health Organization.

"There's no credible evidence that fluoride at recommended levels poses any harm," she states. "If I had any doubt, I would not have applied fluoride to my own children's teeth or advocated it for my grandchildren."

Dr. Anderson aligns strongly with the American Dental Association's position that community water fluoridation is essential for the well-being of our communities. She encourages the public to rely on nonpartisan, evidence-based sources for information on fluoride and other health issues.

"I welcome healthy skepticism," says Dr. Anderson, "but it's critical that we distinguish between data-driven concern and misinformation. Let's make decisions grounded in decades of research and science—not fear."