文章基本信息

标题：A dentist on fluoride - Your Letters - Letter to the Editor
作者：Mary Miller
期刊名称：Mothering
印刷版ISSN：0733-3013
出版年度：2001
卷号：Nov-Dec 2001
出版社：Mothering Magazine

A dentist on fluoride - Your Letters - Letter to the Editor

Mary Miller

As an American dentist, I found "Debunking Fluoride" (July-August 2000) very interesting. I worked for the US Public Health Service (USPHS)--Indian Health Service for two and a half years and in private practice for over six years. Your last paragraph hits the nail on the head as far as the reality of dental disease in a small portion of the population and the probably minimal effect of fluoride on this high disease rate.

I have a problem, however, with the statement "One problem is that dentists want more money to actually treat poor children." I'm not sure where you're coming from with that. The source quoted is a US Health and Human Services (of which the USPHS is a branch) report. When I was with the USPHS, I worked with the exact populations quoted in regard to high incidence of disease. I made about half of the money I did in private practice and worked many more hours. The dentistry practiced in a public health setting is very demanding. If the dentists who want more money "to actually treat poor children" are public health dentists, they are very much deserving of a better income.

The Indian Health Service, which treats the majority of these high-risk children, is struggling to retain dentists. Pay and isolated geographic locations are two of the major considerations. Medicaid dentists are also compensated well below average regional fees. The fact is, for all these children, dentistry is free or at reduced fees.

Soda pop consumption and poor dietary and oral hygiene habits modeled by parents seem to be the key elements in the disease rates of these children. Regular dental care is also lacking, again not due to fees but to parents and environmental factors.

I don't disagree that cost of service plays a role in the private sector. I believe, however, a more beneficial summary could have included some preventative advice, not the misplaced statement about money.

MARY MILLER
Salida, Colorado