North County Times - North San Diego and Southwest Riverside County columnists:

North Carolina is 85% fluoridated, yet, still has to get federal funds to pay for dentists to fill the cavities expensive fluoridation fails to prevent. Fluoridation was originally predicted to "put dentists out of business" - fat chance.

"North County Health Services, which runs nine North County community clinics, said it will also receive more money this year for dental services, and will spend it on a traveling dental-care center that visits schools and remote areas.

'We're thrilled about that, because there is a lot of pent-up need with dental care,' Cota said. 'A lot of parents only take their kids (to the dentist) when they are in pain, and that can be too late.'"