JUNEAU -- Voters on Tuesday rejected a proposal to add fluoride to the city's water supply -- one of the most hotly contested and expensive initiatives in the city's history.
A preliminary count showed the ballot initiative failed in a 61 to 37 percent vote.
The question revolved around the best way to deliver fluoride, which is known to strengthen tooth enamel and help prevent cavities.
"Everybody wants our kids to have healthy teeth, and there's other ways to do that besides putting it in the water," said David Ottoson, owner of Rainbow Foods and member of the anti-fluoridation group Juneau Citizens for Safe Water.
Ottoson said he supports the use of fluoride varnishes and fluoridated toothpaste.
Karen Lawfer, spokeswoman for Citizens Promoting Dental Health, said she was disappointed by the results.
"A lot of people, oftentimes, they vote with fear, and I can understand that," Lawfer said. "We won't see the fallout of this for another couple of years when people see the decline in dental health."
The American Dental Association funded most of the pro-fluoridation side's $151,000 campaign.
Fluoride was taken out of the city's water supply last year after the Juneau Assembly voted against it. They acted on the recommendations of a city commission that studied the issue for two years.
Mayor Bruce Botelho said he expects to see the issue of providing more dental care through the schools to come before the Juneau Assembly in the next few weeks.
