Resources - IFLOSS - Coalition of Communities Working Together to Improve Oral Health in Illinois

Fluoridation is state-mandated in Illiois and toothbrushing is required in Head Start Programs: "A survey conducted in 2001 found that 33% of the two to four year olds in the WIC program had early childhood caries."

50 Dentist Secrets: DDMs Share Hygiene Advice on Teeth, Gums and More | Dental Hygiene | Reader's Digest

Orlando, Florida is fluoridated "I have to extract a lot of baby teeth that are abscessed or heavily decayed...
-- Paul Hettinger, DMD,general dentist, Orlando, Florida"

Mission of Mercy tally: 1,533 smiles : La Crosse Tribune

After 60+ years of water fluoridation reaching 70% on public water supplies and virtually 100% via the fluoridation halo-effect: "But he said the Mission of Mercy illustrates the dental crisis that has been ignored by government. “There are so many people in need,” he said. “It’s time for government to step up to make sure we all have access to dental care.”"

Your Reader-Submitted Articles - Courant.com

Your Reader-Submitted Articles - Courant.com:

In Connecticut where fluoridation is a state requirement: "'It is heartbreaking to think that in the wealthiest state in the country, thousands of Connecticut children are unable to sleep, eat, pay attention in school and generally enjoy their youth because of untreated tooth pain,' said Dr. Elise Cozzi, CSDA's Give Kids A Smile Chairwoman."

Creating a lasting impression - journal-news.net | News, sports, jobs, community information for Martinsburg - The Journal

Creating a lasting impression - journal-news.net | : "In order to meet the demand, more than 50 health care professionals and more than 750 general volunteers performed cleanings, extractions, root canals and made dentures for the M.O.M. clinic on Friday. Dentists came from Pennsylvania, Virginia and from all parts of West Virginia."

For the second year in a row, local resident Mikki Van Wyk was the financial underwriter for the project.

Approximately 50 patients per hour were getting oral health services, up from last year's 41 an hour.

Misson of Mercy dental care event helps 700 : La Crosse Tribune

Misson of Mercy dental care event helps 700 : La Crosse Tribune:

"Lisa Boehme adapted to eating with her gums and six bottom teeth.

“It was a struggle, but you learn to survive,” she said. “The only thing I can’t eat is corn on the cob.”
Patients are seen by dentists providing free care to hundreds of people Friday at the La Crosse Center during the Mission of Mercy event which continues Saturday. PETER THOMSON photo

Boehme, of Viola, had the majority of her teeth pulled about 10 years ago and has needed dentures since."

LaCrosse and 90% of Wisconsin is fluoridated.

The programseeks to provide free dental care to 1,300 children and adults Friday and Saturday. They gave people fillings, extractions, cleanings and partial dentures, but they can’t fix everything in two days, said Durtsche.

“This is like a Band-Aid,” said Kelly Schottler, a volunteer who works with the WDA. “They are going to leave here, but problems are still going to exist.”

Boehme said she hasn’t been able to get the dental care she needs because the dentists she has called won’t accept BadgerCare or Medicaid.

West Virginia: Free dental clinic fills dire need

West Virginia: Free dental clinic fills dire need - Despite a 92% fluoridation rate:


"“So, in the end, you have people who may have had many teeth removed, or who have had fillings or root canals or whatever, and they’re thanking you and they’re crying because they’re so happy they’re out of pain."

"What they saw in the mouths of more than 500 people on Friday at Hedgesville High School was a need for oral health care. In some cases, their need at the Eastern Panhandle’s second Mission of Mercy (M.O.M.) free dental clinic was dire.

'We had one patient in there for three hours ...” event chairwoman Betty Russell said.'"

Why Pediatric Dental Care Matters - NCOHF

Why Pediatric Dental Care Matters - NCOHF:

"The #1 Childhood Disease in America: Pediatric Dental Disease – A National Health Crisis

There is a health crisis in America: pediatric dental disease. Millions of children in America suffer in pain from untreated dental problems, affecting their ability to eat, sleep and learn."

Putting Teeth in Health-Care Reform: Advocates Pursue Dental Issues - washingtonpost.com

Putting Teeth in Health-Care Reform: Advocates Pursue Dental Issues - washingtonpost.com:

"The death of 12-year-old Deamonte Driver [who lived in a fluoridated area] a few miles from the Capitol reminded lawmakers of the disparities that dental-care advocates had been warning about for years. One of these was David Satcher, who as U.S. surgeon general in 2000 called oral disease a 'silent epidemic' afflicting millions of minority and low-income Americans."

Dental visit for poor can be trying experience | dental, attewell, month - Local News - Gaston Gazette

Dental visit for poor can be trying experience | dental, attewell, month - Local News - Gaston Gazette:

Gastonia,and most of Gaston County, NC is fluoridated: "'I feel very sorry for her, and for the many, many thousands of people in Gaston County who can't get in for dental care,' he said. 'But the demand is just so overwhelming, we can't cope with it.'"

Dowagiac Daily News

Dowagiac Daily News: Michigan is 91% fluoridated: "In October 2003, the Medicaid adult dental benefit was eliminated in an attempt to save the state money. During the first six months following elimination, Medicaid oral health-related ER visits increased by 11 percent."

Milk price too rich for many Kiwis:

In 67% fluoridated New Zealand:

"The price of milk has gone up by almost a quarter in two years, putting it beyond the budgets of many low-income families, research suggests.

A University of Otago study has found many families are buying cheap [cavity-causing]fizzy drinks instead of milk, because it is too expensive."

"'Unhealthy fizzy drinks, which contribute to our high rates of obesity and tooth decay, are cheaper and more heavily advertised than milk.'"

Children's Access Dentistry

Children's Access Dentistry:

In 70% fluoridated US: "Tooth decay affects five times more children than asthma and is the most common chronic childhood disease; 80% of tooth decay among American kids is found in just 25% of all children, a majority of whom come from low-income families[many from fluoridated areas]. Additionally, children with untreated tooth decay are more likely to have chronic pain and problems eating and sleeping.

This epidemic is driven in part by sugared soda consumption and other unhealthy habits children learn at home, but more needs to be done in communities as well. Nationwide, only about 30% of low-income children receive adequate dental care."

Scoop: Tooth decay 64% higher after fluoridation

Scoop: Tooth decay 64% higher after fluoridation: "Tooth decay 64% higher after fluoridation
Tuesday, 7 April 2009, 10:07 am


Tooth decay 64% higher after fluoridation introduced in the Far North (New Zealand)

Nine months into the fluoridation experiment being conducted on the people of Kaitaia and Kaikohe, tooth decay was 64% higher in the fluoridated towns - according to the latest Government statistics."

Sugary drinks cause more than just obesity - Opinion - USATODAY.com

Sugary drinks cause more than just obesity - Opinion - USATODAY.com:

"Tooth decay affects five times more children than asthma and is the most common chronic childhood disease; 80% of tooth decay among American kids is found in just 25% of all children, a majority of whom come from low-income families. Additionally, children with untreated tooth decay are more likely to have chronic pain and problems eating and sleeping.

This epidemic is driven in part by sugared soda consumption and other unhealthy habits children learn at home, but more needs to be done in communities as well. Nationwide, only about 30% of low-income children receive adequate dental care."

A Look at Oral Health Disparities in Appalachia

A Look at Oral Health Disparities in Appalachia:

"In many parts of Appalachia, tooth decay remains an unfortunate rite of childhood that too often leads to a lifetime of poor oral health. In [92% fluoridated] West Virginia, population 1.8 million, dentists pulled an estimated 31,800 children’s teeth in 2006. By age 65, about 40 percent of the state’s retirees have none of their natural teeth remaining."

"COHRA is focused specifically on oral health disparities in parts of West Virginia and Pennsylvania. "In Pennsylvania... most households [in Appalachia with the most tooth decay] are located in areas with fluoridated water."

"we see similar rates of decay at our West Virginia and Pennsylvania sites...we’ll see individuals from fluoridated communities who still get caries, and people from non-fluoridated sites who have perfect teeth."

Obesity, tooth decay and teen births plague Aussie kids | National Breaking News | News.com.au

Australia is about 75% fluoridated: "ALMOST one-quarter of Australian children are overweight or obese, while tooth decay in six-year-olds is on the rise"

North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund grants $1.9M to improve dental care - Triangle Business Journal:

In 88% fluoridated North Carolina, money is still pouring in for dental care: "The North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund has granted more than $1.9 million to seven organizations to improve dental care and promote oral health."

URMC Plans New Dental Institute - 13WHAM.com

Despite fluoridation, money pours in for dental care in fluoridated Rochester, NY:

"The University of Rochester is expanding its dental services and treatment to help thousands more in the community."

"The URMC unveiled plans for a new dental institute, a division within Eastman Dental that includes more treatment rooms ... and a new urgent care center..."

Maine is 80% fluoridated: "More Mainers are looking for dental care in hospital emergency rooms due to lack of insurance."

"'I have drained abscesses on children as young as four years of age and had to admit patients to the hospital for life-threatening complications of dental infections because they were unable to get basic dental care,' she said."

"Covey and her staff are able only to provide antibiotics and symptom management. Because of this, these patients return repeatedly with recurring and worsening problems, she said. The financial numbers don't make sense, she explained, because emergency care is 10 times more expensive than preventive treatment."

Candidates Recognize Dental Care Needs in Rural Areas | LoudounExtra.com | The Washington Post

Virginia is 95% fluoridated "It's a problem that has been documented over the past decade by state researchers, volunteers and reporters, and experienced with excruciating clarity in rural communities across Virginia: Many people can't find or afford a dentist."

"You're astounded at what people tolerate simply because they don't have the resources," said Terry D. Dickinson, a dentist who has spent years helping to run makeshift clinics as executive director of the Virginia Dental Association. "Understand, there's nothing quite like that kind of pain. These folks come in and are very stoic and don't complain. Just seeing them, it breaks your heart that they had to put up with that kind of problem."

Promoting oral health care: More than just lip service - JAAPA: Official Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants

After 60+ years of fluoridation with up to 48% of school children exhibiting fluoride overdose symptoms (dental fluorosis), "One of our most vulnerable populations is children. The grim reality of poor or no access to dental care became a public tragedy when 12-year-old Deamonte Driver died of a toothache. His mother had no insurance, and she couldn't find a Medicaid dentist. What could have been an $80 tooth extraction that might have saved her son's life became a fatal brain infection from his abscessed tooth. Added to this profound loss was the cost of his care, which totaled more than $250,000.5 In the 2000 landmark report Oral Health in America, then-Surgeon General David Satcher called untreated oral disease a “silent epidemic,” making it the single most common chronic disease of childhood—five times more common than asthma.6"

The Bulletin is Downtown Toronto's Best Read Community Newspaper

Toronto, Ontario, Canada is fluoridated "The authors found that nearly half the young children in Toronto have never visited the dentist. In addition, it said early childhood tooth decay has increased by nearly two per cent since 1999."

Barrineau visits local schools to stress good oral hygiene | www.gulfbreezenews.com | Gulf Breeze News

"According to the American Dental Association, nearly half of tooth decay in primary teeth of children ages 2-11 is untreated."

School dentistry debate in House today - NOLA.com

This probably helped the Louisiana Dental Association get a state-wide fluoridation law passed last year: "Dentists gave more than $325,000 to lawmakers last year through two political action committees, according to a transcript of a presentation Donaldson gave to the Louisiana Dental Association earlier this year that was provided to The Times-Picayune by opponents of the bill. Donaldson said the money helped give the association 'a pretty good reputation' at the Legislature, according to the transcript."

Network fills in kids' dental care gaps | Recordnet.com

"Dental hygienists ... find that almost a quarter of the children have untreated cavities and more than one in five have visible tooth decay...
no dentist in Calaveras County currently accepts Denti-Cal. (California Medicaid)"