Priester conf matt j (april 2012) final

Tackling a Winnable Battle: Partners for Oral Health Matt Jacob Priester Health Conference April 11, 2012 www.pewcenteronthestates.com

America’s oral health: steady progress Percentage of Children Who Were Cavity-Free (Permanent or “Adult” Teeth) 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 1971-73 1979-80 1986-87 1988-94 1999-2002 Ages 5-17 Ages 6-19 www.pewcenteronthestates.com

The price and pain of tooth decay • Each year, Americans spend roughly $50 billion to treat decayed teeth. • 2007 survey: nearly 1 out of 9 children had suffered a toothache in the previous six months. • 830,000+ Americans visited hospital ERs in 2009 for dental problems that were preventable. This was a 16% jump from 2006. www.pewcenteronthestates.com

Community Water Fluoridation www.pewcenteronthestates.com

Key facts about fluoridation • Fluoride exists naturally in nearly all water supplies. “Fluoridation” is simply adjusting fluoride to the optimal level that protects teeth from decay. • The first city to fluoridate its public water system was Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1945. • Fluoridated water reduces tooth decay by 25%. In recent years, new studies have strengthened the evidence behind fluoridation. • 72 percent of Americans whose homes are connected to a public water system receive fluoridated water. www.pewcenteronthestates.com

How fluoridation works • Fluoride in water mixes with saliva and coats teeth. These minute levels of fluoride re- mineralize the enamel of teeth, protecting against decay. • Only a minute level of fluoride is needed to reach optimal fluoridation. Federal health officials have recommended a level of 0.7 parts per million. www.pewcenteronthestates.com

Who supports water fluoridation? • American Academy of Pediatrics • Institute of Medicine • American Dental Association • American Public Health Association • Centers for Disease Control and • National Consumers League Prevention • Council of State Governments • American Academy of Family Physicians • American Society for Clinical Nutrition • American Medical Association • American Academy of Physician • Florida Department of Elder Affairs Assistants • The Linus Pauling Institute • U.S. Task Force on Community Preventive Services • American Association for the Advancement of Science • World Health Organization • Office of Health Affairs, U.S. Department of Defense The CDC has named fluoridation • American Academy of Public Health one of “10 great public health Dentistry achievements of the 20th century” www.pewcenteronthestates.com

Ample room for improvement 74 million Americans on public water systems lack access to optimally fluoridated water www.pewcenteronthestates.com

The public’s information gap • 58% of Maryland residents How Informed Are You couldn’t identify the purpose for adjusting the About Fluoridation? Survey of 1,503 adults (2010) fluoride in public drinking water. Very 20% • 80% of Americans admit Informed they have a low level of knowledge about Somewhat fluoridation. 54% Informed Not at All 26% Informed www.pewcenteronthestates.com

Opponents: Persistent and web-savvy www.pewcenteronthestates.com

A web of misinformation www.pewcenteronthestates.com

Creating fear, distorting science • The Claim: Children are over-exposed to fluoride and it causes a condition called fluorosis. • The Facts: – Nearly all fluorosis in the U.S. is a mild, cosmetic condition that leaves faint white streaks on teeth. – Mild fluorosis does not cause pain and does not affect the health or function of the teeth. – Fluorosis exists in many areas, including She has fluorosis countries with no water fluoridation. www.pewcenteronthestates.com

Distorting the facts www.pewcenteronthestates.com

Distorting the facts l Dr. Heyd was AMA president in 1936-37, many years before any U.S. city started fluoridating its water. His opposition was not “based on the latest medical research.” l The AMA supports water fluoridation. www.pewcenteronthestates.com

The Campaignfor Dental Health iLikeMyTeeth.org www.pewcenteronthestates.com

A national campaign is launched The Campaign for Dental Health (ILikeMyTeeth.org) 1. Create a network of CWF advocates who can share ideas and support one another 2. Improve the quality and accuracy of web content about oral health and CWF 3. Provide state and local advocates with fact sheets and other communication materials www.pewcenteronthestates.com

Some of our campaign partners A campaign with diverse partners: www.pewcenteronthestates.com

The web presence www.pewcenteronthestates.com

The web presence Allowing advocates to create a locally customized web presence for their CWF campaign www.pewcenteronthestates.com

What You Can Do? www.pewcenteronthestates.com

Is your water fluoridated? Find out by going online and entering into your search engine these words: my water’s fluoride www.pewcenteronthestates.com

Share the facts in your community 1. The leading health and medical experts agree that fluoridation is a safe and effective way to prevent tooth decay. 2. Fluoridated water benefits people of all ages and incomes without requiring them to spend extra money or change their routine. 3. Every $1 invested in fluoridated water saves $38 by eliminating the need for fillings and other, more costly dental treatments. www.pewcenteronthestates.com

Keep informed . . .of these and other oral health issues byreceiving Pews monthly e-newsletter – Dental News & Views.Send an email to mjacob@pewtrusts.org with the words “Sign me up" in the subject line. www.pewcenteronthestates.com

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Priester conf matt j (april 2012) final

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