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It happened on Long Island |
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Fluoride Testing Begins in Nassau County |
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Photo: Newsday |
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In March 1952, residents of Carle Place and Mineola embarked on a study to determine fluoride’s effectiveness against tooth decay. For seven years, children in Carle Place drank fluoride-treated water from infancy, while Mineola children drank non-fluoridated water. In December 1959, the Nassau Dental Society assigned three dentists to examine 560 children aged 6 to 10 in each community. In January 1960, Dr. David B. Ast, Director of the New York State Health Department’s Bureau of Dental Hygiene, and Dr. Joseph H. Kinnaman, Nassau Health Commissioner, reported the results. The Carle Place children who drank fluoridated water had less than half as many cavities, fillings, and missing teeth as the Mineola children. Approximately 70% of New York State residents on public water systems currently receive fluoridated water. Doctors Ast and Kinnaman are shown here with Dr. Richard Pasternak of Nassau Dental Society in a January 1960 photo. – Cynthia Blair |
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