University Health Faculty Split on Fluoridation Issue

Doctors at the University's Schools of Public Health and Dental Medicine are clashing with each other in newspapers and town meetings over the question of fluoridating public water supplies.

Charles R. Williams, assistant professor of Industrial Hygiene and one of the few University health experts opposing fluoridation, won the latest round in the fight last night when a Wellesley town meeting voted 122 to 59 not to put fluorides in its water supply. At the meeting Williams delivered a 15-minute "strictly scientific" speech on the issue.

Meanwhile Health and Dental School men who favor fluoridation claim in letter to the press that Williams has no scientific justification for his stand. In additions, they contend that among enlightened health men he is virtually alone in opposing the measure.

Dr. Frederick J. Stare, professor of Nutrition at the Health School, said in the Boston Herald Monday that the "vast majority" of the Health and Dental faculty members favor fluoridation "as the best way at present to reduce by about half the incidence of dental decay." Stare said last night that Williams is practically the only Health School man opposing fluoridation, while 30 or 40 doctors there favor it.

Dr. James M. Dunning '26, lecturer on Public Health Dentistry, wrote in yesterday's Herald that "water fluoridation supervised by competent engineers really works."

No Fluoridation Here

There appears little chance, however, that the fluoridation issue will affect Cambridge drinking water within the near future. The question was on the ballot in the municipal election several years ago but was soundly defeated, and at present there is no strong campaign to bring it up again.

Williams last night contradicted Stare's contention that Health School faculty members are overwhelmingly in favor of fluoridation. "I haven't the faintest idea how most of the doctors stand," he said, "and neither has Stare."

Williams stated that the four members of the Industrial Hygiene department are "solidly opposed to fluoridation." Their main objection to the measure is that no one has yet proven it to be safe, he added.