After receiving my notice of the upcoming fluoridation of the public water supply, I figured it would only be a matter of time before the anti-fluoridation folks pounced on the topic. What I didn't expect was to see an article ("Some oppose fluoridated water" in the Sept. 20 Thousand Oaks Acorn) laced with misleading quotes and deficient on sound scientific fact.

More than 60 years ago Grand Rapids, Mich., became the first American community to optimally fluoridate its public source of water. Hundreds of subsequent scientific articles have determined that optimally fluoridated water is the single most effective public health measure to prevent dental decay.

Studies show that the incidences of childhood and adult cavities decrease 20 to 40 percent in areas of optimally fluoridated water. Studies also clearly show that children with decayed teeth face considerably more dental problems as adults than those children who don't have early dental problems.

Fluoride has consistently been shown to help children- - the segment of our population most in need of fluoridated water.

Any element or chemical, even water, can be toxic at certain levels. I've yet to hear any outcry regarding the placement of iodine in salt, vitamin D in milk, or vitamin C in orange juice, yet these items can be lethal in excessive levels but are absolutely safe and beneficial as an additive in these very popular items.

Dentists are probably the only professionals working to put themselves out of business.

Our goal is to provide the community with not only dental care but dental education. We want our patients to hear that wonderful phrase at their checkups, "No cavities," not "Your son has five cavities."

We provide research to policy makers so that the respective community can attain a level of oral health which in the long run will save them considerable cost. By receiving optimally fluoridated water the public is reaping the fruits of decades of research and studies.

In this day of instant information it's all too easy to be misinformed yet just as easy to get proper and correct data. It never ceases to amaze me that even after professional peer-reviewed journals publish article after article showing the safety of optimally fluoridated water people still spend the time and energy trying to refute sound public health policy.

It seems to me that these parents would be better off putting their efforts into maintaining a healthy diet minimizing the consumption of cavity-causing items, not fighting the consumption of cavityfighting water. Milton Zweig, DDS Newbury Park