Unless your friends are oncologists specialising in head and neck cancer, you can't afford to listen to them. Listen to Christine and Kelly who have been there, have done lots of research, and know what they are talking about.

Regarding hair loss: Hair loss will come from 2 of your treatments. One will be as others have said from radiation. The loss will be where the radiation hits. The second will be the taxol. Even at small doses, it is likely to affect you to some degree. As you say, a minor issue for you, but be prepared with your winter beanie, just in case. I am yet to meet someone who did not lose their hair but also don't know anyone who had small doses. However, it makes no sense that it would not affect you, as over 7 weeks you will have had close to the standard dose - just split over 7 weeks instead of 1 day per 3 weeks.

Fluoride: I don't know if you have fluoride in the water over there but we do in Australia and I have had since I was about 6-7. the level of fluoride you would receive is a long way under the toxic level - especially if you drink bottled water. In Australia, they have found that kids who drink bottled water get more cavities. As an aside, the bacteria that sits in your mouth is linked with heart disease so oral hygiene is the higher priority at this stage.