Australia - Anger at GPs' fluoride backing

FIGHTING FLUORIDE: Barwon Association for Freedom from Fluoride secretary Mary Sestak, left, treasurer Anna Michalik and Water Quality Australia secretary David McRae are planning protests. Photo: ALISON WYND

Anger at GPs' fluoride backing
Danny Lannen
19Dec07 ANTI-fluoridation campaigners believe general practitioners have disgraced themselves by backing State Government fluoridation plans for Geelong.
They believe the GP Association of Geelong has sold out to the Government by flagging its support and is ignoring latest scientific findings on the impact of fluoride on bones, kidneys and thyroid glands. Opponents also said the Government was mocking the people of Geelong with its lack of consultation and have promised residents will have their chances to protest.
The GP Association of Geelong has joined a dozen Geelong health and welfare organisations backing fluoridation. Others include Barwon Health, Bethany Community Support, Committee for Geelong, Glastonbury Child and Family Services and the Corio-Norlane Renewal group.
Victoria's chief health officer Dr John Carnie said the health sector support had preceded the distribution of fluoride information booklets. Water Quality Australia secretary David McRae, of Geelong, said no studies had measured the effects on Australians after 40 years of fluoridation but a 2006 USA National Research Council study had indicated there was no safety margin between the amount of fluoride supposed to protect teeth and the amount that might damage organs. ''That US study was a bombshell,'' Mr McRae said. ``Dr Carnie should have been jumping up and down saying we should study this more but instead he's pumping out spin.''
The Government was breaking its election promise that it would introduce fluoridation only if the community demonstrated support, he said. ''Where is that support?'' Mr McRae said. ``And now Dr Carnie is saying there will be no referendum.'' Barwon Association for Freedom from Fluoridation acting treasurer Anna Michalik said community protests would start early in 2008.
''There will be rolling protests and we will take it to government in Melbourne,'' Mrs Michalik said. Association acting secretary Mary Sestak, of Norlane, was incensed Geelong GPs and Corio-Norlane Neighbourhood Renewal spokesman Dr Mark Kennedy had said fluoridation would benefit lower socio-economic areas. ''How dare they assume that in Norlane and Corio we're not up to par,'' Mrs Sestak said.