Fluoride - A Communist Plot to lower IQ?

I watched "Dr. Strangelove or how I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb" a couple nights ago. Here is Gen. Ripper talking to Mandrake during a raging gun battle.

Ripper: Water, that's what I'm getting at, water. Mandrake, water is the source of all life. Seven-tenths of this earth's surface is water. Why, do you realize that seventy percent of you is water?
Mandrake: Uh, uh, Good Lord!
Ripper: And as human beings, you and I need fresh, pure water to replenish our precious bodily fluids.
Mandrake: Yes. (he begins to chuckle nervously)
Ripper: Are you beginning to understand?
Mandrake: Yes. (more laughter)
Ripper: Mandrake. Mandrake, have you never wondered why I drink only distilled water, or rain water, and only pure-grain alcohol?
Mandrake: Well, it did occur to me, Jack, yes.
Ripper: Have you ever heard of a thing called fluoridation. Fluoridation of water?
Mandrake: Uh? Yes, I-I have heard of that, Jack, yes. Yes.
Ripper: Well, do you know what it is?
Mandrake: No, no I don't know what it is, no.
Ripper: Do you realize that fluoridation is the most monstrously conceived and dangerous Communist plot we have ever had to face?

It seems the City of Plattsburgh is having the same thoughts about fluoride. There are those like Councilor Amy Valentine that want to do away with fluoride in the Plattsburgh city water supply. The concerns over fluoride in the water supply are being pushed by Paul Connett, executive director of the Fluoride Action Network in St. Lawrence County. Connett thinks fluoridation of water might be a conspiracy by dentists.

"Dentists don't want to treat children because they can make more money on adult tooth problems, and kids don't like to go to the dentist, and they can be a pain," he said.

You can read Dr. Connett's concerns here and more here.

Yes, too much sodium fluoride can cause problems. But the question here is whether the CDC approved fluoridation practices should be of concern. Well you can read a number of reviews and decide for yourself. Start with the United States Public Health Service Review of Fluoride: Benefits and Risks, 1991. Then check out the Institute of Medicine Dietary Reference Guideline for fluoride. If you need more convincing look at recent reports from the National Research Council, Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)and The University of York.

This concern about fluoridation of water are similar to North Country concerns over health effects of wind turbines. Are there health risks involved with fluoride and wind turbines - absolutely. But the majority of experts believe the benefits far outweigh the risks.