Gresham, Oregon | May 10, 2013 | Volume 48, Issue 27
advocate
The independent student voice of Mt. Hood Community College
the
www. advocate-online . ne t
Flouride vote hinges on .7 % additive Jeff Hannig The Advocate
Measure 26-151, better known as the measure to fluoridate Portland’s drinking water, is up for vote this month. The addition of fluoride, as done by most major American cities, is credited with strengthening tooth enamel, especially in growing children susceptible to tooth decay. It is supported by advocates at healthykidshealthyportland.org and opposed by foes who align with cleanwaterportland.org. Supporting statements in the Multnomah County May 21 voters’ guide declare the addition of fluoride is “the most important thing we can do to improve the health of all Portlanders – especially children.” They say, simply, “Fluoridation makes teeth stronger and healthier.” Opponents’ statements in the voters’ guide warn that fluoridation “is a risk we cannot afford” and that fluoridation chemicals “present a threat to Portland’s clean drinking water and would increase water rates when there are more cost-effective solutions to protect children’s dental health.” In the same voters’ guide, it is estimated that the cost to design and construct a fluoridation facility would be $5 million, “which the City expects will be funded through adjustments to current and future capital budgets without changing the forecast water rates.” Still, Portland officials estimate that plant-operating costs would require a 25cent increase on water users’ monthly bills. Asked specifically whether she believes the alleged risks of fluoridating drinking water outweigh the benefits, Raye
Anne Yapp, director of and instructor for MHCC’s Dental Hygiene program, said, “I do not. “I hate to negate someone’s opinion, but the hard science does not bear out the risks that (opponents are) bringing up,” she said. In her 27 years as a dental hygienist, Yapp said she has seen this proposal surface in Portland more than once, but never win approval. “This is a public health issue. Yes, it’s another cost and yes, some feel it’s another government interference, but this is another fabulous way to improve the public’s health,” Yapp said. “When we take patients, we [hygienists] can tell where a patient was raised for the first few years of their lives.” That is, patients raised without added fluoride are commonly saddled with poor teeth. “In a perfect world, we wouldn’t have to put anything in the water,” Yapp said. She explained that while she can respect opponents not wanting any kind of government interference with what goes into the water supply, she believes some government regulation/interference is necessary for the public’s health. An example of government interference or regulation already taking place is the chlorine and ammonia Portland has long added to its drinking water to kill microorganisms. In areas where fluoride is naturally occurring, east of Colorado, tap water is actually de-fluoridated by local governments. “Fluoride knits itself into the tooth and forms a stronger crystal. The tooth becomes much harder for life,” said Yapp adding that it’s important to remember “we’re talking about .7 to one part per million (the amount of fluoride in drinking water if the
ASG voting ends with verdict due Saturday night Mike Mata The Advocate
bill is passed). A little bit goes a long way. The benefit so much outweighs the risks,” Yapp said. She said she hopes that “people will learn the facts and make an educated decision.” Many highly accredited institutions and public health organizations also support fluoridating Portland’s water. Dr. Katrina Hedberg, the state epidemiologist and chief science officer of the Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division, is one such supporter. In a letter to then-Mayor Sam Adams and City Council members last year, Hedberg said, “We are in a dental health crisis in Oregon. Our ‘Smile Survey’ results show that among Oregon first- through thirdgrade children, 64 percent of kids had cavities, 36 percent had untreated tooth decay, and 20 percent, or one in five, had rampant decay (seven or more decayed teeth). “We rank near the bottom of states in the U.S. on children’s dental health,” Hedberg wrote. She continued: “Tooth decay is a serious problem and fluoridation is an effective, affordable and, most importantly, safe way to improve the public’s health.”
Polling for the Associated Student Government presidential election closed last night at 11:59 p.m. The winners of the election will be announced tomorrow night at the Spring Dinner Dance. The dance goes from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., with the ASG president-elect announced at 9:30 p.m. There were three regular candidate tickets: Steven Page for president and Grace Eide for vice president, Brett Slaughter for president with Kyle Schwartz as his running mate and Jeremiah Whitfield for president and William Scott Powers as his vice president. There were also two write-in candidate tickets: Laura Aguon for president with Eduardo Ortiz as her running mate and Nathan Doering for president and Jonathen Gates as his vice president. Doering was Aguon’s original vice presidential running mate, however difference between the two of them during the week of the debates led Doering to drop out of the race only to reenter this week as a write-in. With Doering dropping out, Aguon sought Ortiz as her new running mate and they also became writein candidates. As of 8 a.m. yesterday, 712 ballots had been cast, as the Elections Committee was in the Main Mall encouraging students to vote, hoping to beat last year’s 1086 votes. Check The Advocate’s website this weekend for final results.
Spring play review and remaining dates Page 6
Summer
registration opens Monday
Baseball sweeps double-header against SWocc over weekend
student works occupy visual arts gallery page 7
page 12