POYNETTE, Wis. -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has called water fluoridation one of the 10 greatest public health initiatives of the 20th century, but some in a small Columbia County community said it's all a farce.

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The practice of water fluoridation first started in the U.S. in 1945. One year later, Wisconsin communities started adding fluoride to municipal water. Dental professionals argue that fluoride is especially important for children for their developing teeth. And, in general, experts say that fluoridated water drastically reduces cavities and tooth decay.

But a number of people in the village of Poynette said they believe fluoride is a poison, and they are working to keep it out of the water supply. It's a debate that's dividing the community.

Poynette has been without fluoride in its drinking water since July. At first, it was a cost savings issue, as the village needed to purchase new, updated measurement systems. But it has since turned into a health debate.

Poynette mom Tracie Gavinski said she worries about the health of her 19-month-old twins in large part because of what's not in their drinking water.

"I was very upset," Gavinski said. "My daughters are so young and this is a very crucial time for their tooth development. And fluoride is definitely important for them."

Gavinski, a dental hygienist at the Children's Dental Care Center in Fitchburg, said she wants fluoride put back in Poynette's water. Many others agree, and in the community of 2,500, there is now a strong movement to bring the fluoride back, WISC-TV reported.

But there are some strong feelings on the other side as well.

Village board member Kevin Marquardt so strongly opposes fluoride that he pushed to use the word "poison" on the upcoming referendum ballot. The board voted that down.

"I believe it very much so is a poison," Marquardt said. "I mean, it's a by product of toxic waste, is all it is. It's a way to get rid of toxic waste."

Marquardt, and village resident Amy Lawler, said in their research -- mostly studies found online -- they've concluded that fluoride is far worse than it is good.

"It is proven effective when used topically," Lawler said. "There is nothing proven systemically. Why are we swallowing this chemical?"

Studies provided to WISC-TV by Lawler and Marquardt indicate fluoride causes adverse side effects -- like skeletal fluorosis, fertility issues and lower IQs -- among other side effects.

"This chemical that we use and call fluoride is not," Lawler said. "It's a hazardous waste product. It's a by-product from the phosphate fertilizer industry. It's not good."

How Fluoridation Works

The chemical used is called hydrofluorosilicic acid -- or H2SiF6. It's hydrogen, silicon and fluorine -- and it's true that it's a chemical, created as a result of producing phosphate fertilizer, WISC-TV reported.

That said, it's the most widely used chemical to fluoridate municipal water. Experts say that once the hydrofluorosilicic acid is added to water -- much like chlorine -- it is diluted. The chemical compound then dissociates into the hydrogen and fluoride ions, resulting in fluoridated water.

"The scientific evidence has clearly shown that it is safe and effective -- and that there are no adverse health affects," said Dr. Warren LeMay, Wisconsin's chief dental officer.

LeMay said he's heard the fluoride debate before and hears what he calls "false claims" about fluoride almost weekly. LeMay said he questions where many are doing their research.

"I think a lot of information I've seen has been coming off the Internet, and I think you really need to look at the credibility of those sources," LeMay said. "Where is it coming from? Is it evidence-based?"

The studies provided to WISC-TV are mostly based on books and lab research overseas that was conducted on animals that were given a large amount of fluoride. The studies are compiled by the Web site www.fluorideresearch.org. It's a New Zealand-based Web site, run by Dr. Bruce Spittle -- an advocate pushing to stop water fluoridation.

But LeMay points to groups like Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, the National Institutes of Health and the American Dental Association -- all of which say fluoride is safe.

"Studies have shown that if you spend a dollar for community water fluoridation, you save $38 in treatment costs," LeMay said. "I mean, that's pretty amazing for just a small investment."

In Poynette, the cost is roughly $7 per household, per year, for fluoridated water. But those who oppose it said it's not a cost issue.

"To me, I can't believe this information is out there and people are choosing to ignore it," Lawler said.

Gavinski said that, in the meantime, she not only worries about her kids, but others who might not understand how important fluoride is.

"I can go and buy the fluoridated water, (but) not every household is fortunate enough to be able to pay for water ," Gavinski said.

Water fluoridation is mandated in Wisconsin's bordering states -- but it is not required in Wisconsin. However, 90 percent of people on central water supplies get fluoridated water.

Why Fluoride?

Fluoride can be found naturally in ground water but the amount in water varies. Most dentists recommend fluoride supplements for those residents with well water, especially for young children.

Most dental experts said the topical fluoride treatments people get from a dentist aren't enough. In fact, that's why fluoridated water was started 64 years ago. Dentists said actually swallowing fluoride makes a big difference, especially for young children with developing teeth.

"Ingesting a small amount of fluoride, to get in, to make that bond, prevents decay in the future," said Dr. Eric deTuits, from the Children's Dental Care Center. "And that's what we're looking at in the systemic, or public water, kind of situation."

The DNR strictly monitors the levels of fluoride put into drinking water. The acceptable level in Wisconsin is 1.1 parts per million. And that's the amount that was in Poynette's drinking water, and it could quite possibly be back in the water.

Next month, voters will voice their opinion in a referendum.

The referendum is non-binding -- meaning no matter what the outcome, the village board has the final say.