The question for Aberdeen City Council is to keep fluoride flowing through both the city’s water, and Cosmopolis’ water, or to stop the chemical that so many scientific sources say is helpful.

Along with that discussion, there was a resolution Wednesday night to set the date for a second public hearing for the consideration of removing fluoride from city water. That is set for Sept. 25.

“Public Works is requesting that we continue the discussions on the merits of removing fluoride from the potable water provided to the citizens of Aberdeen and Cosmopolis,” city documents state.

Mike McNickle, director of Grays Harbor County Public Health, spoke about the efficacy of fluoride in preventing disease. He said three words describe what public health does.

“Prevention, promotion and protection,” McNickle said. “Our purpose for this meeting is we’ll focus on prevention. The dictionary definition of prevention is ‘the action of stopping something from happening or arising.’”

McNickle said the aim is to prevent diseases and injuries before they occur. According to McNickle, “community fluoridation” prevents tooth decay and cavities.

“That’s a major public health issue,” McNickle said. “By adding fluoride to the public water supply at recommended levels, with careful monitoring by the public water (department), communities can significantly reduce … cavities. The most critical piece of this kind of prevention work is making sure those who cannot afford dental health services are receiving a basic level of prevention to help reduce … tooth decay in that sector of the community.”

McNickle said community water fluoridation also provides a “basic community benefit, especially for individuals who do not have access to dental healthcare.”

“Fluoridation helps level the playing field, assuring all community members — regardless of socioeconomic status, have protection against tooth decay,” McNickle said.

McNickle referenced statistics to point out why keeping fluoride in the city water supply is important. He used county statistics.

“Removing fluoride from the water supply will exacerbate an already serious dental health problem in our community,” McNickle said. “Data from 2022, not that long ago, found that 71.5% of kids under two (years-old) in Grays Harbor are enrolled in Medicaid and are not receiving dental care. 71.5%”

McNickle used another couple statistics.

“Also in 2022, data shows that 50.9% of children under 6 who live in Grays Harbor County and are enrolled in Medicaid, are also not receiving dental care,” McNickle said. “Overall in 2022, only 31.4% of all children enrolled in Apple health received one or more dental treatments. That means 69% did not.”

McNickle added another point, which shows how serious he sees the issue of removing fluoride.

“I am not here to debate the science of fluoride,” McNickle said. “Seventy-plus years of rigorous studies completed by respected organizations shows community fluoridation is an effective method for preventing tooth decay and cavities over the lifetime of a person and, in particularly, during childhood.”

McNickle named a few of the respected organizations that see the same positive from community fluoridation:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

American Dental Association

American Medical Association

American Academy of Pediatrics

McNickle also addressed “concerns” over the fluoridation.

“Concerns about adverse health effects from community fluoridation, at recommended levels, are not supported by current scientific preventions,” McNickle said.

Liz Ellis, Aberdeen city councilor, spoke about fluoridation.

“Thank you for being here and thank you for your patience,” Ellis said. “As I read through scientific stuff, both sides, it’s not an easy call except when you look at the organizations that you cite that all stand behind the use of fluoride. But for communities that either don’t currently fluoridate their water or if we decide to remove fluoride from our water, in terms of the efficacy of getting fluoride onto the tooth enamel, is brushing with a fluoride tooth paste a good next step?”

McNickle wouldn’t answer that because it isn’t his area of expertise. Instead, he said he’ll “rely on our dental expertise, and medical professionals to make that call.” McNickle told Ellis he’ll get back to the city with more information.

Melvin Taylor, Aberdeen city councilor, said “a lot of it sounds like a lack of dental care, not the fluoride.”

“(It’s) having the dental care that is accessible to people,” Taylor said.

McNickle pointed out how “you could argue” access is one of the problems. Taylor then asked what would create the lack of ability to get dental care.

“When you’re on Medicaid, it’s difficult to get appointments …” McNickle said. “… Unless you have private insurance, it’s really difficult.”

Taylor said his children were on Medicaid and how “trying to get a dentist to see them was almost impossible.”

Fluoridation has been a city issue for a while. In fact, in April 2024 the city invited Shelley Guinn, a registered dental hygienist, to speak about the efficacy of fluoride in city water. Guinn, who is also the state oral health program manager for the Washington state Department of Health, spoke at length why fluoride is important to have.

Guinn provided a couple points that stood out.

“No. 1, fluoride occurs naturally in all water,” Guinn said. “No. 2, fluoridation is the adjustment of the fluoride level. This can be up or down to just the right amount to prevent dental decay and benefit health.”

Guinn then also explained a distinctive problem and how fluoride helps stop it.

“Tooth decay is the most common, chronic disease on the planet,” Guinn said. “It starts out as the most common, chronic disease of childhood. It’s extremely costly to treat and it can be prevented.”

Contact Reporter Matthew N. Wells at matthew.wells@thedailyworld.com.