Decay is rampant in naturally and artificially fluoridated Texas Cities.

“No words can express how grateful I am,” said Cagle, who has suffered two abscessed wisdom teeth for more than a year. “It would cost me $250 a tooth without antibiotics. I’ve got two kids. I couldn’t afford this.”

The north exhibit hall of the Civic Center was turned into a dental beehive this weekend, the country’s largest dental office. There were 44 portable chairs and units, with 99 dentists from across the state working in shifts to treat those with dental problems who can’t afford the care.

They came from not just Amarillo [naturally fluoridated from 1.20 mg/L to 2.10 mg/L], but from Dallas [fluoridated], Houston [fluoridated], Austin [fluoridated], Lubbock [naturally fluoridated], San Antonio [fluoridated] and Mount Pleasant, paying their own way as part of the Texas Dental Association’s Smiles Foundation.

Procedures performed included teeth cleaning, extractions, stainless steel crowns, some root canal therapy, and a limited number of partial dentures. For the first time in the event’s 10-year history, about eight to 10 patients were being fitted with dentures.

More than 1,000 people came through the Civic Center,

“Ever have a toothache? Some of the people we saw this weekend had 10 to 12 toothaches,” Smith said. “We saw people whose oral health is just horrendous.”


Jon Mark Beilue: Dentists get busy at Civic Center | Amarillo Globe-News:

Dentists often brag that water fluoridation will put themselves out of businss. However, after 66+ years of water fluoridation, 55+ years of fluoridated toothpaste, a multi-billion-dollar, multi-national dental products industry, the American Dental Association reports that, eight new dental schools opened from 1997-2011 and two more are slated to open in 2013.



‘Scrap it and start over’ - American Dental Association - ADA.org:

Sacramento, California, is fluoridated:

"I have more people unable to pay for treatment," Lott said. "The hardest hit are the younger kids, who … don't have a steady job, or insurance, or are in college. When you tell them they need a root canal or crown for $2,500, they have a look on their face like it's not real."

Dentists, patients feel economy's bite in Sacramento area - Sacramento Business, Housing Market News | Sacramento Bee: Douglas Lott sees it in the faces of many young people sitting in his Sacramento dentist's chair.

80% of Missouri is fluoridated: "More than 1,100 volunteers, including nearly 200 dentists. Fillings and extractions numbered 1,447 and 2,922, respectively."

'Show-Me' state donates $1 million in MOM care - American Dental Association - ADA.org:

Los Angeles, California, is mostly fluoridated: "At all the clinics, dental treatment is the overwhelming request. "If you have a toothache, there's no ER to go to," Manelli said. "About 60 percent ask for dental care."

Dental care in big demand at free LA health clinic | Deseret News:

Charlottesville, Virginia, is fluoridated. Yet dental need is great! Dental Care First to Get Cut in Down Economy - NBC29 WVIR Charlottesville, VA News, Sports and Weather:

"Our services have expanded by 1,000 percent, which sounds impressive, but also comes with a waiting list of 439 patients," said Erika Viccellio of the Charlottesville Free Clinic.