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Utah becomes first US state to ban fluoride in its water

bbc.com

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Re: Utah becomes first US state to ban fluoride in its water

#311

Post by bcssimulationz »

freehorse wrote: post #123

This is one of these US-specific polarised debates I find really bizarre, around some kind of issue that the rest of the world has by large solved but without any acknowledgement of this fact. Maybe the US should look into how other countries have solved it? It is completely bizarre witnessing both sides getting so polarised around a basically non-issue.

If you look at the US as a simulation that branched of the mother tree of Europe in the 15th century, you won't find it odd that it is rediscovering what Europe has already figured out. Just in it's own way and time. (No chemicals/colors in foods and adequate drinking water) Wait till they figure out mass transit, that will be a shocker.

Re: Utah becomes first US state to ban fluoride in its water

#312

Post by MyOutfitIsVague »

piuantiderp wrote: post #305
quitit wrote: post #274

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The missing context here is that the science and established benefits of fluoride aren’t a culture war political football in those countries. These countries largely publicly recognise the benefits of fluoride, but don’t add it because: - Some countries opt for intake via supplementation. - Some have a naturally sufficient supply in drinking water via natural processes. - Some even need to reduce the abundance of flu…

[flagged]

You could help by providing something worth reading.

Re: Utah becomes first US state to ban fluoride in its water

#313

Post by thaumasiotes »

singpolyma3 wrote: post #87
apothegm wrote: post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sadly, an alarming percentage of Americans don't drink water. I’ve spoken to way too many people who think water tastes wrong because it’s not sweet enough.

I've heard this and it doesn't fit in my brain. They never drink water? Ever?

I wouldn't find that unusual. I hardly ever drink water; if it's available, I drink milk. Why would you drink water?

Re: Utah becomes first US state to ban fluoride in its water

#314

Post by 6510 »

yboris wrote: post #201
nozzlegear wrote: post #185

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A less cynical framing is that the US is a much different culture from European countries, and is massively larger in scale. Depending on the problem, some of their solutions simply can't or don't apply.

I got a Master's Degree in Education and spent 2 years in Educational Psychology Ph.D. program and absolutely 0 time was spent looking at how other countries do education. It's baffling how despite numerous other countries outperforming the US in educational outcomes we do not even look at other approaches!

Maybe it's better not to look...

https://www.tiktok.com/@guinnessworldrecords/video/747057742...

ha-ha f....

Re: Utah becomes first US state to ban fluoride in its water

#315

Post by Aeolun »

rayiner wrote: post #202
ews wrote: post #173

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The US rarely looks into how other countries solve problems. (i.e. Universal Healthcare, High Speed Trains and so), this is the sad part of "American Exceptionalism"

Those are two odd examples. The Affordable Care Act is similar to the Netherlands health insurance system: https://www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2011/lessons-abroad-du... (“These similarities are not entirely coincidental. American public officials, health industry leaders, and scholars made frequent visits to the Netherlands in the run-up to the debate over U.S. health care reform, borrowing ideas and, on occasion,…

> The Affordable Care Act is similar to the Netherlands health insurance systemh

> The average Obamacare plan costs $483 monthly for a 30-year-old, $544 for a 40-year-old and $760 for a 50-year-old.

> The bronze plan covers 60% of the costs associated with care.

I feel like they missed the most important parts of the Dutch health insurance system…

Re: Utah becomes first US state to ban fluoride in its water

#316

Post by seanmcdirmid »

thaumasiotes wrote: post #313
singpolyma3 wrote: post #87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've heard this and it doesn't fit in my brain. They never drink water? Ever?

I wouldn't find that unusual. I hardly ever drink water; if it's available, I drink milk. Why would you drink water?

Water is great for hydration without filling you otherwise. Like, say you need to drink a lot of fluid because you are really active, you would probably get sick of milk pretty quickly.

Re: Utah becomes first US state to ban fluoride in its water

#317

Post by margalabargala »

piuantiderp wrote: post #305
quitit wrote: post #274

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The missing context here is that the science and established benefits of fluoride aren’t a culture war political football in those countries. These countries largely publicly recognise the benefits of fluoride, but don’t add it because: - Some countries opt for intake via supplementation. - Some have a naturally sufficient supply in drinking water via natural processes. - Some even need to reduce the abundance of flu…

[flagged]

Everything they said was true; is there some additional information that should have been provided above and beyond?

Re: Utah becomes first US state to ban fluoride in its water

#318

Post by ekianjo »

FridgeSeal wrote: post #286
jdminhbg wrote: post #234

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What I love about this comment is that one person thought "of course every other country just does the right thing when the US doesn't" and posted it, and then a bunch of other people thought "of course every other country just does the right thing when the US doesn't" and upvoted it, and not a single one of them thought to check what the "right thing" is. Meanwhile, back here on Earth-1, there's no right thing, and…

IIRC _some_ of the European countries that “do not fluoridate their water” have naturally occurring fluoride levels in their water, obviating the need for them to do it.

Are the levels in water consistently checked?

Re: Utah becomes first US state to ban fluoride in its water

#319

Post by loopdoend »

whycome wrote: post #109
habosa wrote: post #85

I’m disappointed in the news media fails to mention the cascading effects of dental health. Yes, the primary and direct benefit of fluoride is to have a healthier mouth. But having a healthy mouth is far from the end goal, imo. If your mouth is full of cavities you’re more likely to build up bacteria that cause downstream effects as serious as heart disease. Also if your mouth is routinely uncomfortable you may gravi…

So you're saying that dental health is essential for the rest of the body? Yet, Canada doesn't include it in its famous 'universal free healthcare'... I'd actually just like to see more money put into public dental assistance. And education.

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) was introduced to provide dental services to uninsured Canadians meeting specific criteria. Its rollout began in December 2023, starting with individuals aged 87 and above, and is set to expand to all eligible adults earning less than $90,000 annually by May 1, 2025.

Re: Utah becomes first US state to ban fluoride in its water

#320

Post by Aeolun »

nozzlegear wrote: post #185
ews wrote: post #173

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The US rarely looks into how other countries solve problems. (i.e. Universal Healthcare, High Speed Trains and so), this is the sad part of "American Exceptionalism"

A less cynical framing is that the US is a much different culture from European countries, and is massively larger in scale. Depending on the problem, some of their solutions simply can't or don't apply.

This argument works fine for high-speed rail, not so well for insurance and healthcare.
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