{
  "abstract": "Current scientific evidence supports the benefits of fluoride in preventing dental decay, and it is critical that the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) continues to provide this proven public health measure. Dental decay remains a major problem for active duty personnel and is a significant reason for classification as non-deployable, with the juniors enlisted, many who live in on-base housing, having the highest risk. Providing optimally fluoridated water will directly reduce their risk for dental decay and improve dental readiness. COVID-19 showed us that public health issues are a national security threat—a U.S. aircraft carrier was out of commission, the joint chiefs quarantined and the commander-in-chief hospitalised—and oral health is not exempt. A dental abscess caused Franklin Roosevelt to cancel all engagements for 4 days in November 1937. In June 1884, Ulysses Grant experienced pain, a mass at his tongue base and enlarged neck nodes consistent with squamous carcinoma. The most popular American president in dental history, George Washington had one tooth on inauguration day. None would meet draft requirements for military service that have been in place since World War I.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Unaffiliated, Baltimore, Maryland, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Adejare (Jay) Atanda"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Ending water fluoridation will threaten warfighter health",
  "uid": "3f0043bc-15be-5160-97d0-bf7f1879f3b4"
}