Posted on: Thursday, August 16, 2001

Lana'i dentist wary of plan to fluoridate

By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui County Bureau

Not every resident of Lana'i is enthusiastic about the state's plan to underwrite the fluoridation of Lana'i City's water supply.

That includes the island's only dentist, who yesterday said he left a meeting about fluoridation Tuesday with second thoughts.

Although Dr. James Sagawa strongly believes fluoride is an effective tool against tooth decay, he said introducing it into the public water supply may not be the answer. There are alternatives, he said, including tablets, topical treatments and more education.

The dentist said those who spoke at Tuesday's anti-fluoridation meeting made some valid points, including the potential for adverse effects on the environment. He said he'd like to see more data.

"I'd rather be safe rather than on the sorry side,'' said Sagawa, who has been practicing on Lana'i for three years. "I don't want to force things on people. Maybe they should open it up for a vote.''

But state officials said they already are moving to fluoridate the water in Lana'i City, providing $100,000 worth of equipment and chemicals for the privately owned Lana'i Water Co. from the state's tobacco settlement fund. The goal is to have the system running by next year.

State Health Department Director Bruce Anderson said the fluoridation was requested by Lana'i residents and health professionals to help turn around the dental health of a community that arguably has the highest rates of tooth decay in the country.

Lana'i has the highest rate of tooth decay in Hawai'i kids ages 5 to 9 and has a rate two to three times higher than most areas on the Mainland, according to state statistics.

Earlier this year, the department tried to help a coalition of medical officials on Moloka'i fluoridate that island's water. But the Maui County Board of Water Supply turned the proposal down in the face of community opposition.

Anderson said the Lana'i proposal emerged during a meeting to establish health priorities on the island in March. Dental health was made the top priority, and fluoridation won "overwhelming support.''

But some people on Lana'i say that there was not enough input from the community.

Phyllis McOmber of Lana'i City said she wasn't able to make Tuesday's meeting, but she believes fluoride in the water is a bad idea. She said she has read about detrimental side effects on the bones.

"If the state is going to be paying for it, I don't think we should be the guinea pigs,'' said McOmber, who also suggested putting the question up for a vote.

But fluoridation supporter John Ornellas, a Lana'i Co. employee and member of the state Health Department's Sub Area Council for Lana'i, said there is enough support.

Ornellas said he heard misinformation at Tuesday's meeting from anti-fluoridation activists from O'ahu and Moloka'i. He said there were people in the audience of about 30 who favored fluoridation but chose not to speak because they didn't want to be shouted down.