The Sociology of the Fluoridation Controversy

Abstract

Previous studies have explained opposition to fluoridation in terms of misinformation, alienation, or confusion. These studies have several shortcomings stemming from an uncritical attitude toward scientific knowledge. Recent perspectives in the sociology of scientific knowledge provide the basis for developing a wider understanding of the fluoridation issue, including analysis of scientific disagreements, the promotion of fluoridation, and experiences in other countries. Contrary to the usual view, public opposition to fluoridation does not necessarily signify a failure of education or democracy.

Privileged Access, Privileged Accounts: Toward a Socially Structured Theory of Resources and Discourses

“…Despite this fact, however, and despite the examples provided by some important critical examinations of society-environment relationships in the early 1970s (especially Molotch 1970;Crenson 1971), the more common tendency in recent work has been to focus on the social construction of environmental problems, not privileges. As noted by some of the few exceptions to this general tendency (McCright andDunlap 2000, 2003;Gramling and Freudenburg 1996;Freudenburg et al 2003;Martin 1989), although a number of respected sociologists have devoted explicit attention to the social construction of global warming and other environmental problems in recent years, there has been a relative paucity of work on what might be called the social construction of quiescence or "non-problematicity" of the same issues. So consistent has been this focus that, in his well-respected, book-length effort to spell out "a social constructionist perspective" on environmental sociology, Hannigan (1995:2-3) described his "chief task" as being "to understand why certain conditions come to be perceived as problematic and how those who register this 'claim' command political attention" in their efforts to deal with the problems.…”

People's risk perception in earthquake prone Quetta city of Baluchistan

“…Risk perception was considered an important concept in 1960s, most notably to nuclear technology [3]. Experts and public perceive risk in different ways [4,5], however public risk perception is considered to be one of the determinants of the behavior.…”

Risk, Trust, and Consumer Acceptance of Plant Biotechnology

“…Historical precedents including opposition to nuclear power generation (Gardner, 1982;Jasper, 1992) and fluoridation of water supplies (Martin, 1989) have led to rapid shifts in public perception and consequent backlash on government regulators. As already is evident in parts of Europe, the application of biotechnology for GM products can be publicly constrained and if so, benefits will not be realized (Fleising, 1991;Cantley et al, 1999;Glickman, 1999;Hails and Kinderlerer, 2003).…”