I agree. Put it where you want it. Don't put it in your blood stream and your nervous system. So NOT in the drinking water, thank you very much. Not arguing the science of fluoride (that's a different subject - the type of fluoride that can be consumed safely by humans should be calcium fluoride, but it is not what councils use, which is Fluorosilicic Acid or Hydrofluorosilicic Acid, also known as Sand Acid. See facts here: https://www.nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/1665.pdf

But we ARE arguing the science of what one is trying to do: one is trying to armor one's teeth, not one's brain.

If there is a government programme to prevent tooth decay, then maybe there is a better way, like issuing out toothpaste coupons, and ensuring that growing children are given calcium-foods (also cabbage, but mostly dairy products) and protein, to allow teeth to develop normally - LOL - targeted food coupons. It will be complex, because some will not tolerate dairy, so then they need to have something else. But I think today's software can handle such complexity whereas 'fluoridate drinking water' mass-medication is an 'old' way that is no longer functional. One cannot control dosage, for one thing.

And a diet of daily candy and soda are not going to be cancelled out by fluoridated water, just saying.