A Milwaukee alderman, Jim Bohl, has started a heated debate after revealing earlier this week that he intends to introduce legislation to end the city's water fluoridation program.
Monica Hebl, DDS, past president of the Greater Milwaukee Dental Association and Wisconsin Dental Association, released a statement Thursday regarding Bohl's proposal.
"This is an extremely misguided proposal based on junk science, not fact. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has proclaimed community water fluoridation one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. ... Killing the city's community fluoridation program would severely threaten the oral health of Milwaukee residents and those who live in the other 15 local communities that get their water from Milwaukee," Dr. Hebl stated.
Meanwhile, a supporter of the measure, Bill Osmunson, DDS, said that Milwaukee's water supply is illegal and cited research saying there is no benefit to swallowing fluoride, according to a news story by 620 WTMJ Newsradio.
A hearing on the measure will take place later this month, Bohl said.
