The opposition to fluoride programs: report of a survey

State dental directors were surveyed in spring 1984 regarding fluoridation and fluoride programs. Forty-four states reported existing fluoride mouth-rinse programs in schools; 22, fluoride tablets in schools. About 90 percent of directors felt that support for fluoride programs by state departments of health and constituent dental societies either had remained the same or increased over the previous five years. Approximately half felt the antifluoridation movement to be as strong as five years earlier. About one-third indicated a shift in focus by water fluoridation opponents to include other fluoride systems. Most felt this shift occurred during 1981-82. Information was reported on 255 individual challenges to fluoride programs. Results of this survey indicate that expenditure of considerable resources and effort continues to be necessary to ensure the longevity of public fluoride systems.