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WICHITA, Kan. - As President Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney prepare for their final debate on Monday, a TV debate Thursday night focused on Wichita's fluoride issue. Supporters and opponents of the fluoride issue squared off in a forum on public television. TV station KPTS invited representatives from Wichitans for Healthy Teeth and Pure Water for Wichita to participate in the program.
Dr. Stephen L'Hommedieu, with Pure Water for Wichita says fluoride in the water system will affect even those who would rather not be treated. "Fluoride is the only chemical added to drinking water for the sole purpose of medication, for the assumed benefit for reducing tooth decay." said L'Hommedieu. He added, "Is it ethical to medicate entire communities without individuals giving their consent, or without an individualized diagnoses, treatment and follow-up?"Dr Rob Dankin with Wichitans for Healthy Teeth says it just a matter of raising the level of fluoride in Wichita to have a beneficial effect. "Every Wichitian is actually drinking fluoride right now, whether they know it or not," said Dankin. "The level is 0.3 parts per million. So, what we're trying to do is just raise it to up to 0.7 parts per million, which is the optimal level for fighting tooth decay," he said.
A second public forum on fluoridation will be held Tuesday, October 23 at the Downtown Library in Wichita beginning at 12:00 p.m. It's sponsored by the League of Women Voters. The Fluoridation issue will be voted on in Wichita in the November 6 general election.