By Heather Fredrickson

WELLSVILLE -- The only practicing dentist in Wellsville harbors unpopular views on fluorinated drinking water in Utah, but that hasn't hurt his thriving practice.

"I'm definitely for fluoride in water," J. Thomas Smith said.

Fluoride may not be a cavity cure-all, but it does help. And adding the element to drinking water may do more good than harm.

Smith said fluorinated drinking water is one of the best things that can be done for dental health, and the risk of fluorinosis, an overexposure to the element causing darkening of the teeth, is low and preventable.

"It is certainly safe for people to consume," Smith said.

In spite of his opinions Smith sees patients from all over Cache Valley, from Clarkston to Hyrum.

"(Patients even) come up from Ogden," he said. "People I know (personally) do that."

Originally from Ogden, Smith attended Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. After graduating in 1969, Smith signed up for the U.S. Navy and spent two years at the Terminal Island base near San Pedro, Calif. While in the Navy, Smith took certification exams in two regions: one including California, and another covering Utah.

"I wanted to come back to Utah," Smith said, "to get away from the rush rush type of life I was living in Hemet (Calif.)."

His opportunity came when he helped a neighbor in Hemet, where he'd set up practice after leaving the Navy, move to Wellsville.

"I wondered if they could use a dentist," he said.

Lisa Cooper, Wellsville City Treasurer, said Smith has been practicing in the town for at least 15 years.

"I've never heard of anyone else wanting to open up here," she said. Since 1997, smith has divided his time between dentistry and his seat on Wellsville's City Council.

"I haven't found any conflicts," Smith said. "(You are) dealing with the public in both aspects."

Smith said he tries to do what is good for the community without letting patients sway his decisions.

"Patients have feelings if you vote one way or another," he said. "Once things are explained most people generally accept it."

Smith wouldn't say whether he will run for reelection next year, but he said his first campaign and the past three years have been a good experience.

"I'd do it all over again."

JF
JF

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