Fluoridation the subject of dental association's annual 3rd-grade poster contest

The Pennsylvania Dental Association wants the state’s third-graders to help mark the 75th anniversary of community water fluoridation — the addition of fluoride to public drinking water.

Third-grade students are invited to submit a poster built around the association’s 2020 theme: “Fluoride in Water Prevents Cavities!”

After Dr. Frederick McKay investigated a tooth condition known as the “Colorado Brown Stain” in the early 1900s, researchers from Alcoa in 1931 concluded that the condition’s cause was a high concentration of fluoride in the local water supply.

Despite cracks and pitted teeth from high levels of fluoride, those exposed also suffered noticeably fewer cavities than those who were not exposed. Further research led to the large-scale fluoridation of water supplies in the United States.

In 1945, Grand Rapids, Mich., became the first city to fluoridate its water supply.

Today, fluoridation remains a fairly contentious topic. While 42 of America’s 50 largest cities have fluoridated water, some have decided against it, notably Portland, Ore., and College Station, Texas. In 2011, commissioners in Pinellas County, Fla., voted to stop fluoridating their water supply. But two of the commissioners voting in favor of stopping fluoridation were voted out of office and, in 2013, the county resumed fluoridation.

Last year, the associations’s contest received more than 125 entries, according to Michelle Berrones, communication coordinator for the association.

“It’s just to get kids thinking about dental health, but also it gives them a nice chance to earn a little cash prize and get some publicity for their school,” Berrones said.

Three statewide winners will be chosen from among the entries. The first-place winner receives $500 and his or her teacher and their school will receive $250 each. Second place will receive $250, with $100 going to third place.

The association also supplies teachers with lesson plan kits.

“The worksheets and resources that are available to teachers revolve around the year’s theme,” Berrones said.

Entries must be submitted by March 6 to the Pennsylvania Dental Association, ATTN: NCDHM Poster Contest, 3501 N. Front St., Harrisburg, PA 17110.

Winners will be announced in April.

For more, or to receive an electronic lesson plan kit, email mmb@PAdental.org.