Investigating the Fluoridation Issue in San Diego, California

University of Alabama at Birmingham: Center for Health Promotion

University of California Berkeley: Center for Family and Community Health

Topics:
Oral Health

In California, individual cities decide whether to fluoridate the public water supply. To help develop an affordable way to inform citizens of fluoridation issues, the researchers are comparing two types of discussion forums and their effect on attitudes toward fluoridation among 300 residents in San Diego. One forum type is ChoiceWork Dialogue, an 8-hour program delivered by a private company, in which participants discuss the pro and con arguments of fluoridation. Community Dialogues, a shorter and less-expensive version of the ChoiceWork Dialogue, is the other forum type; it is a 2-hour workshop delivered by a trained local facilitator. Pre- and post-tests will be used to determine how and why participants did or did not change their mind about fluoridation after attending a workshop. Results from the two forums will also be compared to determine if the Community Dialogue workshop is an effective and affordable way to help people make an informed decision.

 

Back to Research Projects