Rethink What We Drink
Vote NO on Fluoridation November 8!
OUR POSITION
It is well known that diet, nutrition and dental hygiene are essential to maintaining oral health.
Although fluoride has been shown to be effective in improving dental health, it is most effective when applied directly to the teeth, not ingested.
We believe community wellness is best achieved by promoting education and resources to those most in need, rather than supplementing our drinking water with sodium fluoride.
Our community deserves a public water supply that is as free of chemical additives as possible.
THE FACTS
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies fluoride as a drug when used to prevent or mitigate disease. Fluoride is the only chemical added to the public water supply as a medical treatment for the sole purpose of preventing tooth decay. All other water treatment chemicals are added because they are necessary to improve water quality or safety.
Informed consent, whereby an individual is told of the risks and benefits of any prescribed drug, is standard practice for all medication. With water fluoridation, anyone who consumes water is taking a drug, whether they want to or not. This loss of individual freedom to choose is one of the reasons much of Europe has ruled against water fluoridation.
Fluoride is not just in your tap water. It’s commonly found in beverages such as juice, soda, energy drinks, bottled water, coffee and alcohol when made with fluoridated water. A water treatment plant regulates the amount of fluoride added to the drinking water, but how much of this chemical an individual ingests is based on their consumption. Because of this, individuals who consume a lot of water relative to their body size, such as bottle-fed infants or those who have a higher activity level, such as athletes and laborers, may take in an unhealthy amount of fluoride.
Dental health has come a long way since the 1940s when water fluoridation first began. We now know that fluoride is most effective when it is applied, not ingested. Studies have shown that the most effective use of fluoride is topical – in toothpaste, for example.
Data collected by the World Health Organization (WHO) has shown a drastic decline in tooth decay in all western countries, whether the country fluoridates its water or not. This suggests improvements in dental hygiene and diet, rather than fluoridated water, are the underlying reasons for observed dental health improvements.
- The CDC states “fluoride prevents dental caries predominately after eruption of the tooth into the mouth and its actions primarily are topical for both adults and children.”
- The National Research Council has concurred, stating “the major anticaries benefit of fluoride is topical and not systemic.”
The American Dental Association, who advocates and profits from the use of fluoride, states “Fluoride is a mineral that is found in all natural water sources and is the ionic form of the trace element fluorine, which is commonly found in the environment; fluorine reaches water sources by leaching from the soil and rocks into the ground water.”
This is NOT what is added to our local drinking water. Sodium fluoride is an industrial grade chemical and a waste by-product from the phosphate fertilizer industry. Boothbay Region Water District sources its sodium fluoride from China and Japan. Read the most recent letter to the editor from the BRWD.
Consumption of too much fluoride can have the following negative health effects: tooth discoloration, skeletal weakening, neurological effects, high blood pressure and vitamin deficiency.
Prevention – Nutrition & Oral Hygiene
Any sincere effort to promote dental health should first focus on diet, nutrition and adequate preventive care. Dissemination of a medicine (fluoride) in drinking water to treat a specific group of people puts the vulnerable at risk. Efforts to specifically address the problem (poor nutrition, poor access to dental care) are more likely to be effective without unnecessarily medicating the entire population.
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TESTIMONIALS
“I agree with the FOC’s position and will vote to end fluoridation of our public water supply.”
- Jim Stevens, Boothbay Harbor“We would much rather provide fluoride-free water to our customers and employees at Kaler’s restaurant and will vote no on fluoridation”
- Maddie and Sam Kaler, Southport“I support the FOC and will vote in November to end fluoridation of the Boothbay Region water supply.”
- Susan Endicott, Southport“I am an advocate of preventative healthcare and nutrition. I believe it is important to first address the root cause of an ailment, rather than suppress it with medication. I will vote No on fluoride in November.”
- Anna Christina, Boothbay Harbor“I support the FOC’s mission to end water fluoridation in the Boothbay Region.”
- Jenn Sledge, Boothbay Harbor
HELPFUL RESOURCES

A collection of useful local organizations that help support nutritional and dental wellness.
The following local farms, markets and co-op accept SNAP, may have other helpful programs, and offer healthy, nutritious food.
Brown's Farm Stand
Locally grown produce- Seasonal
209 Townsend Ave, Boothbay Harbor
Cunningham Farms
Locally grown produce- Seasonal
297 Wiscasset Rd, Boothbay
Goranson Farm (Dresden)
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs, accepts SNAP, WIC, farmstand open daily year-round, monthly delivery in Boothbay year-round
Farmers markets:
- Boothbay Thursdays, May-October
- Damariscotta Fridays, May-October
- Bath Saturdays, year-round
Morning Dew Farm (Newcastle)
CSA program, accepts SNAP
Farmers market: Damariscotta Fridays, May-October
Bath Farmers Market (Bath)
Accepts SNAP, SNAPMatch–a program providing 100% match to use at the market, all vendors.
Saturday mornings, year-round
Rising Tide Co-op (Damariscotta)
Accepts SNAP
SHARE (Supporting Households and Reaching Everyone) 10% member discount on all eligible purchases for those receiving SNAP, WIC, SSI, or Pell Grant benefits
(Loving Local Meals at Rising Tide Co-op is currently on hiatus)
Morris Farm Store (Wiscasset)
Accepts SNAP
Spears Farmstand (Waldoboro and Nobleboro)
Accepts SNAP, Waldoboro location open year-round
Boothbay Region Food Pantry (Boothbay Harbor)
Fridays 11a-1p, 207 350 2962, Basement, Congregational Church
Community Resource Council (serves Boothbay region)
Several programs:
- Community Navigator: help finding housing, food and more.
- Food for Thought: provides child-friendly, nutritious snacks for families in need.
Collaborative Partner (without website):
- Community Lunches, at various churches, refer to CRC website for more info.
Midcoast Maine Community Action
The WIC Nutrition program serves pregnant and postpartum women, infants and children up to age five. Promoting the whole family's health and well-being.
Veggies to Table
A grow-to-donate farm, donates to many area organizations including schools, YMCA, food pantry and more.
Twin Villages Foodbank Farm (Damariscotta)
Grows fresh, nutrient-dense food for donation to pantries and youth programs in Lincoln County.
Lincoln County Gleaners
Collects and harvests fresh food from local farms and gardeners then distributes throughout the community.
Healthy Lincoln County
Working with partners to improve the health and well-being in Lincoln county, nutrition programs in schools and communities.
Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine
Many programs to end hunger in Maine, refer to website for more info.
Farms at the Y, CLC YMCA, Damariscotta
Focusing on hands-on experience and education about good nutrition and the role of local farms in promoting healthy, sustainable communities; facilitating farm to institution purchasing.
Lincoln County Dental (Wiscasset)
Comprehensive oral health care through use of income-based sliding fee scale and participation with MaineCare
207-386-6600
Jessie Albert Dental & Orthodontic Center (Bath)
State-of-the-art dental and orthodontic care available to everyone. In addition to accepting most insurance coverage, including MaineCare, offers a variety of affordable financing options.
207-443-9721 or 1-888-304-8020
Oasis Free Clinic (Brunswick)
No-cost primary care medical practice and dental clinic, providing patient-centered care to uninsured adults in midcoast Maine.
207-721-9277
ABOUT US
We are a small group of local residents who came together over a shared concern about the drawbacks of sodium fluoride in our public water supply.
We are self-funded and focused on our community’s distinct needs for good oral health and overall wellness.
We do not receive monetary support from any outside or national organizations, nor do we take direction from such.
We live here, vote here, and we care about good health for everyone on our peninsula!
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CONTACT US
Have questions? Want information on how you can help?
Please email us at contact@fluorideoc.com.Also visit our Facebook Page and Instagram Feed.