Arkansas kids saw two big victories at the Capitol Wednesday! SB138 will improve afterschool programs and SB359 will increase the availability of fluoridated water. They both passed the House and are headed to Gov. Mike Beebe’s desk for signature. Please take a moment to thank those legislators who voted for these important bills. 

On SB138 (afterschool), House votes can be found here and Senate votes can be found here.

On SB359 (fluoridation) House votes can be found here, and Senate votes can be found here.

Don’t know your legislators? You can go to the Arkansas Children’s Hospital website to enter your address here to find your senator and representative.

Background on afterschool bill: The Positive Youth Development Act, SB138, authorizes state agencies to begin working with the public to create rules and regulations for local afterschool and summer programs to receive state funding in the future. Funds will not be requested until after the state’s economic outlook improves in the years ahead.

Background on the fluoride bill: This bill will reduce Arkansans’ chances of getting tooth decay by requiring all Arkansas water systems serving more than 5000 people to fluoridate their water. Thousands of Arkansas children and their families will now have access to this preventative measure.

Why is fluoridated water good for kids and families?

Oral health impacts a child’s overall health and ability to learn. Tooth decay is the most chronic condition of childhood and is associated with difficulty sleeping, eating, learning and getting proper nutrition. Untreated dental problems can lead to other health complications. More than half of Arkansas children under the age of 9 have already experienced tooth decay.

Fluoridation can prevent and reduce tooth decay. Studies show that fluoridation reduces tooth decay by 20 percent to 40 percent. A study of two similar communities in Arkansas showed that residents without fluoridated water had twice as many cavities as those with fluoridated water.

Fluoridated water systems save taxpayers’ money. Providing more Arkansans with fluoridated water will save taxpayers money by lowering our state’s Medicaid costs and reducing families’ health care expenses. Every $1 invested in water fluoridation saves approximately $38 in unnecessary dental treatments. The average cost of filling one cavity is $145, more than twice the cost of providing fluoridated water to an individual for a lifetime. The Delta Dental Foundation has graciously agreed to cover the start-up equipment costs for water systems impacted by this bill.

Scientists, medical experts, and the public agree about the benefits of fluoridated water. Fluoridation has been supported by the last five U.S. Surgeons General, the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Medical Association. A new study shows that 67% of Arkansans support this bill. Only 28% of Arkansans oppose it.