Why Gig Harbor Stands Out as a Flouride-Free Oasis Amidst the Debate!

Community Health & Wellness

Back in April 1997, the Bremerton City Council made a pivotal decision to introduce fluoride into the city’s water supply. This move came as a response to a growing concern from local residents about the dental health of their children.

For decades, towns like Port Orchard, Poulsbo, and Bainbridge Island have embraced water fluoridation, recognizing its proven ability to cut down on cavities and tooth decay. With an annual cost of less than $2 per customer, it was hailed as a smart and budget-friendly public health strategy.

However, the plan hit a snag when an anti-fluoride group rallied support to bring the decision to a vote. Nearly two years later, residents voted against fluoride, effectively banning future fluoridation efforts without a public referendum.

As a result, Bremerton stands as one of the last two cities on the Kitsap Peninsula without fluoridated water, the other being Gig Harbor.

Who Are the Real Losers?

The experts warn that the biggest losers in this fluoride debate are children and low-income families.

Dr. David Houpt, a local dentist and member of the Kitsap Dental Society, emphasizes that while fluoride’s benefits can be partially achieved through good dental hygiene and regular check-ups, its greatest impact comes for those who struggle to access dental care. “For folks who can’t get to the dentist or afford quality dental equipment, fluoride is a game changer,” he says.

While it’s a fact that most water supplies contain some fluoride—a naturally occurring mineral—it’s often not enough to fend off cavities. The push for community-wide fluoridation began in the U.S. back in 1945 when researchers discovered that areas with high natural fluoride levels boasted lower decay rates.

Today, fluoridation is a mainstay across the nation, with over 70% of public water systems treating their supply. The Centers for Disease Control even touts fluoride as one of the greatest public health achievements of the past century.

“Community water fluoridation maintains fluoride levels that effectively prevent tooth decay, benefiting everyone, regardless of age, race, gender, or income,” states Dr. Gig Morrow, top public health official in Kitsap County. “It promotes tooth repair, hardens enamel, and inhibits decay-causing bacteria.”

The Ongoing Debate

Even with strong support from health experts and dentists, the fluoride debate is far from over. Recent months have seen numerous American communities reevaluating the benefits of fluoride in their water supplies and even opting to remove it altogether, according to reports.

Dr. Charlotte Lewis, a pediatrics professor at the University of Washington, points out that anti-fluoride sentiments have been around for decades, often fueled by unfounded theories linking fluoride to various negative outcomes.

“People have long tried to connect fluoride with harmful effects, dating back to the ’60s and conspiracy theories,” she explains.

Emerging Skeptics

Recently, the national conversation about fluoride was reignited by comments from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic and President-elect Trump’s pick for the Department of Health and Human Services. In November, he announced plans to push for the removal of fluoride from drinking water.

A controversial federal report released in August by the National Toxicology Program further fueled skepticism, suggesting a connection between higher fluoride levels and lower IQs in children. However, the report did not address the effects of fluoride at levels recommended by the CDC.

Citing this report, a federal judge in California ordered the EPA to impose stricter regulations on fluoride due to concerns about cognitive decline.

While some studies have indicated troubling links between fluoride and cognitive issues, many other well-designed studies have found no such connection. Dr. Lewis cautions against jumping to conclusions based on flawed research, noting, “We still face significant disparities in oral health and access to dental care. Evidence suggests fluoridated water can close those gaps.”

Community Decisions

Local and state officials are aware of the National Toxicology report, and Washington state’s Department of Health is currently analyzing its findings. The Kitsap Public Health District continues to endorse water fluoridation as a sound public health choice.

“Fluoridation not only reduces tooth decay but also helps address inequalities for low-income families, ultimately saving money on dental care,” Morrow adds. “Residents of fluoridated areas enjoy healthier teeth than those without it.”

It’s worth noting that the federal government can’t mandate fluoride removal from municipal water supplies; those decisions are left to local water districts and city councils. This has led to inconsistencies across neighboring communities, particularly on the Kitsap Peninsula.

Most unincorporated areas of the peninsula, spanning Pierce and Kitsap Counties, lack fluoridated water. However, Annapolis and Manchester, which embraced fluoridation in 1968, provide exceptions. The Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe also fluoridates its water in North Kitsap.

Fluoride Talks in Gig Harbor

In the early 2000s, the Tacoma-Pierce Health Board attempted to enforce a fluoridation mandate countywide. However, the Washington state Supreme Court struck it down in 2004, not based on fluoride’s merits but rather on authority overreach.

Aside from Bremerton, Gig Harbor is the only other incorporated city that refrains from fluoridating its water, according to the Washington Department of Health’s records.

Other than a unanimous opposition from the Gig Harbor Town Council in 1974 against state fluoridation mandates, there has been little public discussion on the topic in Gig Harbor.

State Rep. Michelle Caldier, who grew up in Bremerton during the fluoride debate of the ’90s, confirmed that she hasn’t encountered similar discussions in Gig Harbor. “I haven’t had constituents reach out regarding fluoride,” she stated. As a former dental professional, she supports fluoridation, provided it aligns with local community support.

“In communities with low cavity rates, fluoridation may not be necessary,” Caldier asserts. “I stand behind fluoridated water where high cavity rates exist, assuming local agreement.”

The Case for Continued Fluoridation

The disparities in oral health between communities that choose to fluoridate and those that do not have diminished over the years. However, Dr. Lewis cautions that the introduction of fluoride dramatically improved access to dental care and oral health outcomes in many areas.

While fluoridated communities still experience lower cavity rates, the availability of fluoride toothpaste and fluoridated food has diversified access to this vital mineral beyond just drinking water.

Yet, this doesn’t negate the importance of community fluoridation, Dr. Lewis argues. “It’s akin to the polio vaccine. Just because we don’t see polio cases doesn’t mean we abandon the vaccine. That can lead to preventable outbreaks.”

“The same principle applies to community water fluoridation. Although cavities are now less common than they were in the 20th century, removing fluoridation would likely lead to a resurgence in cavity rates,” she warns.

Conor Wilson is a Murrow News fellow, reporting for various local media outlets through a program managed by Washington State University.