CBC Archives

“It’s a communist plot to poison our water!” “Governments don’t have the right to medicate me without my consent!” “Eating or drinking fluoridated substances will cause negative health effects!” Statements such as these, along with calls for a ban on fluoridation, have been heard ever since the 1940s when scientists discovered that fluoride can prevent tooth decay. Much of the controversy is fuelled by conflicting scientific research. While fluoridation of water is the most economical way to prevent tooth decay, over-fluoridation can cause serious health effects. With all the conflicting information, what is a person to believe?

Present the following scenario to students: Your town was one of the first in the province to fluoridate its water supply as a means of preventing dental cavities. At the time, over 80% of the population was in favour of the decision. However, in recent years the debate has intensified and now many people are calling for the council to rescind the decision. The mayor has asked you to work as a member of a panel of experts to develop a presentation to inform council members of the issues and help them make a reasoned decision about whether or not to scrap the town’s fluoridation program.

Students will deliver their presentation to the class, who will represent the town council. They should be prepared to answer any questions that arise.

Assessment Tip
Consider preparing a rubric that the class can use to assess each group’s understanding of the information they present, or use the rubric for oral presentations (CBC Radio and Television Archives Web site, For Teachers, Assessment Suite).