Summary
Rural America faces rising tooth decay as anti-fluoride sentiment grows and dentist shortages persist.
Nearly 25 million Americans live in “dental deserts,” while about 230 counties lack both dentists and fluoridated water.
Anti-fluoride momentum surged after a controversial report linked high fluoride levels to lower IQ, leading to fluoride bans and cuts in Medicaid funding.
Experts warn that cutting fluoride and Medicaid could drastically worsen dental decay, especially among low-income children.
As someone that grew up on well water and the wasteland that is American health insurance for dental care that has resulted in me spending tens of thousands of dollars, hundreds of hours of time, and suffering through at least twice (probably more) as many head X-rays as my peers I know exactly how this is going to play out for an entire generation.
It’s probably more painful, expensive, and traumatic than you can imagine. Tooth pain is easily the worst I’ve ever experienced. Tooth infections are also particularly risky and left untreated or under treated will absolutely kill people.