Water Fluoridation Issue in Kansas Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Water Fluoridation Issue in Kansas - Essay Example The Kansas area is a leading producer of cattle and agricultural produce such as soybeans and corn (Mortal et al 1). The area relies on rivers, wetlands, and underground rivers as the natural water sources and the water supply is both private and public. Kansas is ideal for agriculture because a significant percentage of its land can support agricultural activities with over sixty thousands running farms. Like many communities, Kansas undertook the water fluoridation concept that many perceive as the way to providing safe water for the population. The idea that supports the fluoridation aspect is that adding fluoride to water for consumption helps in preventing tooth cavity and other dental health concerns. With this, this essay will delve into the presence of fluoride in the water consumed in Kansas and why it is good for the this community. First, consumption of fluoridated is of benefit to the Kansas because it is the most cost effective way of minimizing the occurrence of cavitie s in both adults and children (K.H.I 2). Most of those that are adamant about using fluoridated water because they support the ferocious thinking that intense level of fluoride in water can cause fluorosis in children below the age of eight hence minimizing the level of contact with this water. This ambuscades sensible thinking as the arguments that they present lack substantive evidence to support their claims. However, this is nadir thinking as this only applies to the children of this age and not on those that are past this age hence making this argument to be baseless. The levels of fluoride in domestically consumed water should be at 1.5mg per liter and a plethora of this may cause fluorosis if the level goes up to 4mg per liter. The other available options for preventing cavities is by using toothpaste that contains fluoride as an extract, which is much more expensive. Therefore, water fluoridation has benefits to the Kansas community because it presents an affordable way of p revent cavities and cavity related diseases. Secondly, consumption of fluoridated is of benefit to the Kansas because it helps in minimizing the occurrence of diseases caused by poor oral health. In essence, the Wichita area has registered a great number of tooth decay cases as compared to any other region within this state. Ideally, Wichita does not fluoridate its water because it lacks the necessary policy mechanisms that would influence the adoption of the water fluoridation concept. The area has also registered a high number of oral health challenges that have the potential of influencing other disease apart form the dental health related diseases. However, a significant part of the medical professionals in Wichita have realized the importance of water fluoridation had have taken the initiative to improve the quality of life for those living ion the area. Subsequently, physicians agree that a community that does not consume fluoridated water cannot be as healthy as it should be because of the inane perception that they have about the disease causing organisms. Therefore, water fluoridation is of benefit to the Kansas population especially in the Wichita area because it minimizes the risk of acquiring tooth decay that can create poor oral health. Thirdly, consumption of fluoridated is of benefit to the Kansas because it helps in keeping students in school as it decreases absenteeism caused by seeking treatment. Ideally, studies have also established a relationship between the low grades in school going children and poor dental health that may arise from consuming water does not contain the required fluoride levels. According to the Kansas Dentist Association, a significant pa