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Dr. Eugene Jarus and his service items.
Doc Jarus was trailblazer
By Alan Rusch
Last Updated: February 07, 2010
At mealtime, before you bite into that juicy steak, corn on the cob or apple, you might want to offer a silent thank you to retired dentist Dr. Eugene Jarus for something he accomplished 48 years ago — the fluoridation of Ellsworth's water supply.
In 1961, Jarus, a Wilson native and recent graduate of the University of Missouri Dental School, opened a dental practice above Citizens State Bank and Trust in downtown Ellsworth. At the time, Ellsworth's water supply was not fluorinated. But — because of his newly acquired professional knowledge of tooth decay — Jarus decided to act.
“I talked to my friend Tommy Zouzas, who was on the city council at the time. They talked it over and put it in, and we've been enjoying the benefits of that ever since," Jarus said.
Jarus said the benefits of fluorinated water are clear.
“Everyone knows it will knock out 50 to 60 percent of the decay, and it does. But we also realize people drink a lot of Pepsi and Coke. If you put that stuff on your car, it will take the paint off, so it doesn't exactly do your teeth that much good, either."
As part of his campaign, Jarus worked to secure the support of the five dentists practicing in Ellsworth at the time. Four eventually sided with him. The fifth, Dr. Lewis, refused to sign off on fluoridation.
“He decided it was a poison," Jarus said. “Well chlorine is a poison, too, but without chlorinated water, you can't drink it."
Jarus was also instrumental in getting the use of mouth guards for contact sports signed into Kansas law.
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