Portland - Assure a Smile

Freedom of Choice: Lessons Learned from Portland’s Fluoride-Free Victory

At the end of 2012, Portland city council members met behind closed doors in an attempt to pass a public water fluoridation mandate. When word of the council’s plan leaked, citizens sprang into action, collecting an unprecedented 400,000+ signatures to bring the controversial decision to the public for a vote. Six months have passed since that time, and we're happy to announce that the residents of Portland have successfully voted to keep public water free of fluoride. So, what can we learn about Portland’s recent underdog victory against the pro-fluoride lobby?

Portland, Oregon Successfully Votes ‘NO’ on Water Fluoridation

Portland Uses Science and Integrity to Defeat Fluoridation the headlines read, accompanied by photos of cheering crowds and bright, smiling faces. Residents of Portland, Oregon, have successfully voted against a recently proposed water fluoridation program, keeping more than a half million Americans safe from the potentially toxic side effects of fluoridated water. Residents voted against the fluoridation proposal 61% to 39%, sealing what many are calling one of the most significant victories against the controversial practice to date.