193574 Community Water Fluoridation: A systematic interdisciplinary approach blending law, public health policy, and political science to increase access to fluoridated water

Tuesday, November 10, 2009: 9:15 AM

Kristine M. Gebbie, DrPH, RN , Joan Grabe Dean (acting), School of Nursing, Hunter College CUNY, New York, NY
Kathy McCarty, JD, MPH , School of Nursing, Hunter College CUNY, New York, NY
The purpose of this presentation is to provide resources to public health professionals regarding legal principles and models applicable to improving oral health through community water fluoridation. The information is a result of a 3-year study that blends expertise in law, public health policy, and political science in the area of community water fluoridation. The general areas of legal challenge have been previously reported at an APHA session. This presentation will provide additional details on the range of challenges, sources of information on legal responses. The participant will be better able to respond quickly when community water fluoridation is challenged through regulation, law, lawsuit or citizen petition.

Learning Objectives:
1) Identify major legal challenges of community water fluoridation; 2) Describe how various jurisdictions have differentially approached legal issues relating to community water fluoridation; and 3) Access a database of laws, legal reforms, and related interpretive material including educational material to develop improve oral health through community water fluoridation in local communities.

Keywords: Community Health, Oral Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I was the project coordinator in this stage of the research.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Essential Public Health Service: Community Water Fluoridation Programs
See more of: Oral Health