Dysmocracy Screens in Birthplace of Fluoridation

In 1945, Grand Rapids, Michigan became the first place in the world to try public water fluoridation. That launched a public health revolution - and passionate counter-movement, spawning fights over fluoride that have erupted in towns across America for decades. Our film profiles one of those fights, and this week, we had the opportunity to bring the fluoride story back to where it all began.

Hosted by Calvin University, Director Jordan Melograna and Producer Christa Hillstrom facilitated a screening event where the audience gave feedback to what they were seeing in real time. Then after the film, the audience participated in a reverse Q&A where the filmmakers could ask them questions about what they thought. This was about more than fluoridation, it's about how the audience can take what they learned about seeing an issue from all side and apply it to the things they care about.

"You were exposed to other alternatives, which was good. A function of democracy falls apart when the public loses common trust and decency and respect for fellow human beings," wrote one audience member in an anonymous survey.

Dysmocracy: The Fight Over Fluoride heads to Seattle on Friday, February 20th for another interactive event at the University of Washington. Free tickets here! And check out our screenings page to bring this unique film and conversation to your organization.