Community Water Fluoridation Science Panel
Sponsored by DHSS Office of Dental Health
Presented by Gwen Sullentrup, Dr. Jennifer Sample and Dr. Kevin Baumgartner
Session Overview: This course gives a concise overview of community water fluoridation, explaining its role in preventing tooth decay by strengthening enamel. It covers how regulated fluoride levels in public water systems are set well below toxic thresholds, distinguishing safe public health practices from hazardous exposures. Participants will review key findings and limitations from recent scientific and legal reports, including those by the NTP and EPA, to understand their relevance to public health decisions. The course examines research on fluoride and IQ, highlighting evidence that community water fluoridation at regulated levels shows no impact on IQ. Safety is addressed through clinical and public health perspectives, helping participants respond to concerns about children and vulnerable groups. Finally, the course provides strategies for sharing accurate, balanced information to support informed choices and constructive community dialogue.
Learning Objectives:
- Explain what community water fluoridation is, how it works, and why regulated levels differ from toxic exposure.
- Interpret the NTP report and EPA fluoridation lawsuit, including what they do and do not conclude.
- Evaluate claims about fluoride and IQ using the newest research, including evidence showing no IQ impact at optimally fluoridated levels.
- Respond to common safety concerns using clinical toxicology and public health evidence.
- Apply credible information to personal decisions and community conversations about fluoridation.
Gwen Sullentrup, MAT
Chief, Office of Dental Health, Department of Health and Senior Services
Gwen is the Office of Dental Health CWF Coordinator and holds a BA in psychology and has completed over 70 hours of graduate work in the fields of education and business. Gwen started her career with the state in 2006 working at State Technical College of Missouri. She continued her work for the state, working with underserved populations in child and adult abuse and neglect, the WIC program, long-term care inspector and ultimately finding her home with the Office of Dental Health in 2020.
Gwen is working on completing her last four classes to finish out both of her Master’s degrees, one in education and one in business management. Gwen continues to work to help improve the needs of all Missourians and has been blessed to work for and with a wonderful group of individuals that help move the needle forward on public health initiatives and education that improve the lives of Missourians.
Dr. Jennifer Sample, MD
General Pediatrician, Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit
Dr. Jennifer Sample is a board certified pediatrician and medical toxicologist. Following her medical school training and pediatric residency, she completed a fellowship in medical toxicology and clinical pharmacology at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, MO. She served as the Medical Director to the Kansas Poison Center at the University of Kansas Hospital for 5 years before returning to Children's Mercy. She became the Chief of the Section of Toxicology and, subsequently, the Interim Director to the Division of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Innovations. During her tenure at the Kansas Poison Center, she was awarded a grant to serve as the Director to the Mid-America Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit and served in that capacity until she semi-retired in 2019. She currently works in a private pediatric practice in Platte City, MO and has a consulting business, PediaTox, for expert consultation on pediatric and adult medical and environmental toxicology.
Dr. Kevin Baumgartner, MD
Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Division of Medical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Washington Unviersity of Medicine
Dr. Kevin Baumgartner is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Medical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine. He is board-certified in Emergency Medicine, Medical Toxicology, and Addiction Medicine, and practices at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children's Hospital. Dr. Baumgartner's research interests include sedatives & psychoactive medications, treatment of substance use disorders in the hospitalized patient, and snake envenomation. He is a member of the editorial board of the journals Clinical Toxicology and Shock.
Thank you DHSS Office of Dental Health for sponsoring this session!
