Community debates regarding fluoridation: pre-1970 North American perspectives
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2015
Authors
Akers, H.
Armfield, J.
Foley, M.
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Journal article
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Journal of the History of Dentistry, 2015; 63(1):7-21
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Abstract
The history of fluoridation in the United States provides a convenient case study of the intersection of scientific authority and its social and political counterparts. Between 1952 and 1970, proposals to fluoridate community water supplies were a magnet to social scientists, whose attraction to conflict analysis meant a focus on investigating the issues involving referenda. Waves of investigations attempted to link demographic findings to behavioral and social theories. In doing so, US researchers largely ignored the negative aspects of the history of fluoride, the phenomenon of fluoride acceptance and post-World War 11 North American concerns about chemicals in food. However, social scientists provided aggregate data on the social characteristics of those who voted for and against fluoridation and enunciated a critical influence on decision-outcome: centralized authority.
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Copyright 2015 American Academy of the History of Dentistry