Fluorosis Neurosis: Describing the Attitudes of Residents of San Marcos on the New Water Fluoridation Policy
Date
2017-05
Authors
Marks, Nicholas Jay
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Abstract
Research Purpose: The purpose of this research is to design and execute a study that describes the attitudes of San Marcos, Texas residents affected by the new public policy that ends fluoridation of municipal water supplies. Furthermore, the study assesses resident's knowledge of the fluoridation policy.
Methods: This descriptive study employed a survey of residents of San Marcos, Texas. The survey results were augmented by interviews with public servants and activists. The study is also bolstered by research and reporting of relevant studies concerning fluoride to clarify and calm the controversy that surrounds water fluoridation into an academic context.
Results: The results of the survey show that residents of San Marcos, Texas most-commonly support the fluoridation of water. However, residents of San Marcos are also largely ignorant of the nature of fluoride as a drug and are not aware of how much fluoride they consume every day. The results of the interviews show that Mr. John Thomaides seemed to share a similar position with those from the survey who supported the petition, and Mr. Sam Brannon's opinion aligned against water fluoridation because of the general ignorance and the ethical implications which water fluoridation presents.
Full Disclosure: Given the researchers past diagnosis of Osteosarcoma and its connection to fluoride, there is the possibility that the results and overall tone of this research to be biased against water fluoridation.
Description
An Applied Research Project Submitted to the Department of Political Science, Texas State University, in Partial Fulfillment for the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Public Administration, Spring 2017.
Keywords
fluoride, public policy, research, ethics, survey, Public Administration
Citation
Marks, N. J. (2017). Fluorosis neurosis: Describing the attitudes of residents of San Marcos on the new water fluoridation policy. Masters of Public Administration, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.