Three good letters (USA)
Care for poor
It is unfortunate Star readers were given only the dentists' side of the fluoridation story when Tucson is the site of the most detailed fluoride/tooth decay studies ever done in the United States.
Professors Tim Jones and Cornelius Steelink did the most meticulous analysis of 50 years of decay data collected by Tucson dentists.
Jones' students have collected scientific data on everything in the trash from households in Tucson over the last 25 years.
The only significant difference in tooth decay was that Hispanic children suffered more tooth decay, not less. They found, as others have, that poor children have more tooth decay than rich children.
Does Tucson have sugar-rich soft drinks available in schools? The soft drinks we've tested have substantial amounts of fluoride in them, yet sugary drinks cause more tooth decay.
Instead of instituting a failed fluoridation program, Tucson should use that money to provide better access to dental care for those who cannot afford it. Children are already overexposed to fluoride. They don't need more.
David Kennedy, D.D.S.
Past president, International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, Tucson
Fluoride toxic
The government of India has constructed defluoridation plants because of toxic effects. A New Delhi study showed that a high fluoride level was associated with birth defects, stillbirths and early infant mortality. It also showed fluoride disrupts bone formation and hardening. A U.S. study showed twice as many hip fractures in a Utah city that used fluoridation compared with one that did not.
Does fluoridated water prevent tooth decay? It may decrease the decay of baby teeth in young children. It seems, however, to increase the decay rate of permanent teeth. A study of 29,000 elementary-school children in Tucson showed more decay with increased fluoride.
Most European countries do not use fluoridation. About half of them tried it and stopped when they saw no benefit. Tucson should review all the evidence on efficacy and toxicity before adding fluoride to our water.
Jane M. Orient, M.D.
Physician, Tucson
Curb sweets
The article conveniently ignores the facts to promulgate another questionable medical practice.
According to the data presented in the article, there is no statistical difference in Pima County's incidence rate of tooth decay when compared with the rest of Arizona where fluoride has been added to the water.
Maybe a better idea would be for parents to take charge of their children's health by restricting the use of "acidic, sugary soft drinks" that were referred to in the article.
Larry K. Roberts
Tucson
It is unfortunate Star readers were given only the dentists' side of the fluoridation story when Tucson is the site of the most detailed fluoride/tooth decay studies ever done in the United States.
Professors Tim Jones and Cornelius Steelink did the most meticulous analysis of 50 years of decay data collected by Tucson dentists.
Jones' students have collected scientific data on everything in the trash from households in Tucson over the last 25 years.
The only significant difference in tooth decay was that Hispanic children suffered more tooth decay, not less. They found, as others have, that poor children have more tooth decay than rich children.
Does Tucson have sugar-rich soft drinks available in schools? The soft drinks we've tested have substantial amounts of fluoride in them, yet sugary drinks cause more tooth decay.
Instead of instituting a failed fluoridation program, Tucson should use that money to provide better access to dental care for those who cannot afford it. Children are already overexposed to fluoride. They don't need more.
David Kennedy, D.D.S.
Past president, International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, Tucson
Fluoride toxic
The government of India has constructed defluoridation plants because of toxic effects. A New Delhi study showed that a high fluoride level was associated with birth defects, stillbirths and early infant mortality. It also showed fluoride disrupts bone formation and hardening. A U.S. study showed twice as many hip fractures in a Utah city that used fluoridation compared with one that did not.
Does fluoridated water prevent tooth decay? It may decrease the decay of baby teeth in young children. It seems, however, to increase the decay rate of permanent teeth. A study of 29,000 elementary-school children in Tucson showed more decay with increased fluoride.
Most European countries do not use fluoridation. About half of them tried it and stopped when they saw no benefit. Tucson should review all the evidence on efficacy and toxicity before adding fluoride to our water.
Jane M. Orient, M.D.
Physician, Tucson
Curb sweets
The article conveniently ignores the facts to promulgate another questionable medical practice.
According to the data presented in the article, there is no statistical difference in Pima County's incidence rate of tooth decay when compared with the rest of Arizona where fluoride has been added to the water.
Maybe a better idea would be for parents to take charge of their children's health by restricting the use of "acidic, sugary soft drinks" that were referred to in the article.
Larry K. Roberts
Tucson
posted by Bill at
5:25 PM
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