As you can see, cavities were on the decline prior to
fluoridation. Even after fluoridation, the rate of decline is
approximately the same. If fluoride was effective, there should
have been a very noticable drop in the cavity rate. 50 year
decline in tooth decay of 5-year-olds. Source. -- compiled from
Health Department records of 5-year-olds' tooth decay 1930-1990,
fluoridation and fluoride toothpaste. From "WHY I CHANGED MY
MIND ABOUT WATER FLUORIDATION" John Colquhoun © 1997 University
of Chicago Press.