Fluoridate Kingston
Fluoridate Kingston
Reclaiming Kingston’s Legacy. Protecting Our Future.
What We’re Proposing
70 years ago, Kingston proved to the world that fluoride in drinking water is one of the most effective public health measures in human history. But today, we don’t fluoridate our water, despite decades of scientific consensus and clear evidence that it prevents cavities, reduces healthcare costs, and protects the most vulnerable.
Fluoridate Kingston is a campaign to change that.
We propose a cost-free engineering study, funded by New York State, to evaluate how Kingston can safely and effectively fluoridate its water supply. If the study is favorable, the City can pursue grant funding for equipment and implementation, with no cost to city taxpayers.
Why Kingston Should Fluoridate Our Water Supply
- Fluoridation reduces cavities by 25 to 60%.
- It lowers dental costs for families by reducing the need for fillings, root canals, and extractions.
- It’s safe, effective, and endorsed by every major medical and dental authority, from the CDC and WHO to the American Dental Association.
- Kingston’s natural water contains only 0.3 parts per million of fluoride, far below the optimal level of 0.7 ppm for cavity prevention.
Nearly 90% of Westchester County residents have fluoridated water. In Ulster County, it’s just 3%. As a result, our kids have triple the cavities that kids in Westchester have, despite similar levels of access to dental care.
Why Kingston Doesn’t Fluoridate
Between 1945 and 1955, Kingston served as the control city in the landmark Newburgh-Kingston Study, which proved that fluoride could reduce tooth decay by up to 60%. Yet Kingston never adopted fluoridation itself.
Why not?
The answer is a tangle of Cold War fears, conspiracy theories, anti-government sentiment, and decades of local political hesitancy. Despite support from local health authorities, medical societies, and community advocates, efforts to fluoridate Kingston’s water were repeatedly blocked by misinformation and political fear.
The result? An estimated 20,000–25,000 more cavities for Kingston children over the past 80 years. Countless hours of pain, unnecessary dental visits, and millions in treatment costs, all preventable.
A Path Forward
Fluoridating Kingston’s water begins with a state-funded engineering feasibility study. Here’s how it can work:
1. Common Council Resolution
The Kingston Common Council passes a resolution requesting the Water Department conduct a fluoridation study.
2. Grant Application
The Water Department, supported by the City’s Grants Office, applies to the New York State Department of Health for a Community Water Fluoridation Engineering Study Grant (up to $50,000).
3. Feasibility Study
Engineers assess Cooper Lake and Kingston’s water infrastructure to determine the technical and financial requirements for adding fluoride.
4. Implementation (Optional)
If the study supports fluoridation, the City can apply for a second NYS DOH implementation grant to fund the equipment and training—again, fully covered by state funds.
What’s Next?
We’re calling on the Kingston Common Council to:
- Pass a resolution to begin this study.
- Follow the science that Kingston helped establish.
- Take action that could improve public health for generations to come.
Endorsements & Support
If you’d like to add your name or organization to our growing list of supporters, email us.
Eve Walter, PhD
Public Health Director
Ulster County Department of Health
Michael Herrmann
Executive Director
New York State Dental Association
Let’s Finish What We Started
Kingston helped prove fluoridation works. Now it’s time to give our own children the benefits that we helped bring to millions.
Fluoridate Kingston.