Community water fluoridation (CWF) is a safe and effective public health measure that reduces the prevalence and severity of dental caries. Long heralded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other health authorities as one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century, CWF now reaches over 400 million people worldwide.
However, recent claims that fluoride negatively affects children’s IQ — amplified by federal authorities and social media — are leading to state-wide bans and damaging public support for CWF.
Join CareQuest Institute and the American Dental Association for a webinar where expert speakers will critically review the evidence behind these claims, highlighting key limitations in the research and clarifying common misconceptions. The speakers will also share proven strategies on how to respond to any patient concerns and communicate the science behind fluoride and IQ with clarity and confidence.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the scientific evidence supporting community water fluoridation as a safe and effective public health measure.
- Describe the quality of evidence behind claims associating CWF with negative effects on IQ.
- Discuss strategies and steps for communicating with patients and the public about the benefits and safety of CWF.
Moderator
Jane Grover, DDS, MPH, Senior Director, Council on Advocacy for Access and Prevention, American Dental Association
Presenters
Scott L. Tomar, DMD, DrPH, Professor and Associate Dean for Prevention and Public Health Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry
Susan Fisher-Owens, MD, MPH, FAAP, Professor of Pediatrics and of Dentistry, University of California, San Francisco
CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider.
ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry. CareQuest Institute for Oral Health designates this activity for 1 continuing education credit.
This continuing education activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the standards of the ADA Continuing Education Recognition Program (ADA CERP) by CareQuest Institute for Oral Health.
All participating instructors in this program have disclosed that they do not have any financial arrangement or affiliation with persons or entity(ies) offering financial support, products, and/or services mentioned or related to the content of this program/activity.