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UK Against Fluoridation

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Why does the United States fluoridate water?

USA - Free dental exams for children to be given Thursday

Community Briefs: Jan. 30
Saturday, January 30, 2010 12:00 am
Free dental exams for children to be given Thursday
RACINE — The Racine County Dental Society will partner with the Health Care Network for the fifth annual Give Kids a Smile Day from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday at Health Care Network Inc., 904 State St.

The American Dental Association created Give Kids a Smile Day to build support for public and private solutions that will help under served children get regular oral health care. Despite advances in cavity prevention, 52 percent of 6- to 8-year-olds have tooth decay, however due to lack of access to care these children go untreated. Untreated tooth decay results in pain, dysfunction, reduced weight/poor nutrition and poor appearance.

For the fifth year children will be seen at the Health Care Network for a free dental exam, aftercare will be scheduled with Racine area dentists at no charge to the patient.

Children age 6 to 13 are eligible to receive free dental exams. Call (262) 632-2400 to schedule an appointment. Appointments are required. Arrangements for follow-up care will be made where needed.

After 65 years of water fluoridation in the U.S., 55 years of fluoridated toothpaste and a virtually 100% fluoridated food and beverage supply with up to 48% of US school children sporting fluoride overdose symptms (discolored teeth):NYSCOF

Saturday, January 30, 2010

UK - Article in the Andover Advertiser 19th Jan

FLUORIDE: GET REAL! by Steve Dancey
The man who might be health secretary in a future Conservative government
has called for a referendum on water fluoridation.

Andrew Lansley described the public consultation carried out by South
Central Strategic Health Authority (SCSHA) into the controversial proposal
as "not real".
While the proposals do not encompass the Andover area, many worry that the
controversial material will be added to the water here if the south
Hampshire proposals are implemented after a judicial review.
The issue caused a furore in Andover in the 1950s when Andover Borough
Council added fluoride to the water.
Mr Lansley said: "A referendum is a simple way of giving the public a real
opportunity to make a decision about this. I think in Southampton and south
Hampshire the consultation was not real because effectively what happened
was that they (SCSHA) said 'We have looked at the evidence and we think we
should fluoridate the water'. "They (SCSHA) then had a consultation with
the public. About 75 per cent of the public said 'Actually we are against
this'. And they (SCSHA) said 'We know you said you are against it but we
have looked at the evidence and we think it's the right thing to do'. So
what was the point of the consultation?"
Liberal Democrat shadow health minister Sandra Gidley, who represents
Longparish, the Wallops and Stockbridge, welcomed the statement. She added
: "It is just a shame it has taken nearly a year for Tory party leadership
to make their opinion on a local referendum known."

UK - Daily Echo letters

A poll was good enough for Mancunians. Why not us?
I, like many others would like to see a referendum on the subject, this would establish once and for all how much opposition or acceptance of fluoride in our water system there is.
The referendum would only be for people in the catchment area, namely Southampton, Eastleigh, Totton, Netley and Rownhams, and when this referendum does take place, all schools within the. catchment area would have a vote on this subject as fluoride added to our water is aimed at the children not us adults.
Now our Southampton MPs Mr John Denham and Mr Alan Whitehead agree with the principle of adding fluoride to water supplies, but both are none too happy with a referendum citing problems about getting a bill through Parliament, setting a precedent, and all other manner of excuses. Well Messrs Denham and Whitehead, I'll let you know that a precedent has been set. During the early part of 2009 a referendum was held in Manchester.
The citizens of Manchester had a referendum on the congestion charges the council were about to introduce. What's good enough for the citizens of Manchester surely is good enough for the citizens of Southampton and surrounding district. Mancunians voted on the prospect of paying money to drive into Manchester. The voted against having the congestion charge imposed upon them, whereas the South Central Strategic Health Authority (SHA) intend to impose fluoridation of our water supplies onto us without a referendum.
So come on Messrs Denham and Whitehead surely you can set the wheels in motion to get a referendum up and running, and if you are too busy, then maybe New Forest East MP Julian Lewis, Eastleigh's Chris Huhne and Romsey and Southampton North's Sandra Gidley could step into the breach and organise a referendum and let's not forget the children who it's aimed at can also vote at their schools.

REPEATING the call for a referendum on fluoridation (Daily Echo, Jan 21) misses the most essential point. What is needed is a clear declaration that using our water supply for random mass-medication is both wrong and illegal. The public would like to know to what extent MPs and other public figures have been or expect to be rewarded for promoting fluoride. MR G PAYNE, Southampton.

Friday, January 29, 2010

USA - Study finds tooth decay on the rise

Study finds tooth decay on the rise
Posted: Jan 28, 2010 1:21 PM
Updated: Jan 28, 2010 1:21 PM
12 News AnywhereGet breaking news emailsBecome a fan on FacebookFollow us on TwitterGet alerts on your computer desktopGet WSFA.com on you cell phone(NBC) - The Center for Disease Control says pediatric cavities were at an all time low in the mid nineties, with 24% of kids ages 2 to 5 having at least one. New studies say that number is on the rise..........

Thursday, January 28, 2010

USA - Watsonville edges toward water fluoridation

Watsonville edges toward water fluoridation
By DONNA JONES - Santa Cruz Sentinel
Posted: 01/27/2010 07:04:44 PM PST
Updated: 01/27/2010 07:05:27 PM PST
WATSONVILLE - Fluoridation of the city's water supply appears inevitable.
The City Council, on a 4-3 vote late Tuesday, rejected signing off on a nearly $2 million grant contract for construction of a fluoridation system, but agreed unanimously to establish an ad hoc committee to finalize details of the agreement.
Officials from the city and the California Dental Association Foundation believe a deal can be worked out.
If the money comes through, the city is under an order from the state Department of Health Services to fluoridate.
"I believe the city has given up, resigned themselves to state pressure," said John Martinelli, president of S. Martinelli & Co. and a fluoride foe for personal and business reasons. "They're afraid of a fine, and having that enforced on our community."
Watsonville fought a legal battle to uphold a 2002 voter-approved ordinance that effectively banned fluoride from the water supply. But an appeals court ruled state law - requiring cities with 10,000 or more hook-ups to fluoridate if outside money is available to cover costs - trumped the ordinance.................

USA - Seeking a solution

Seeking a solution
Early childhood caries in American Indian children defies traditional preventive approaches to infection
Posted Jan. 25, 2010
By Stacie Crozier
......."Dr. Donald W. Marianos, a public health consultant, said that prevention of early childhood caries in this specific population [Native-American] has seen very limited or no improvement over the past 30 years, despite implementation of community water system fluoridation, fluoride rinses, dental sealants and oral health education."

"According to statistics presented at the symposium, ECC prevalence is about 400 percent higher in AI/AN children than for all U.S. races. In addition, ECC is often much more aggressive and destructive in AI/AN children. In some AI/AN communities, up to 50 percent of the children have such severe caries that they require full mouth restoration under general anesthesia—a rate about 50–100 times that in all other U.S. races. Severe ECC often leads to a lifetime of oral health problems."..........

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

USA - It's Time to Retire Fluoridation

It's Time to Retire Fluoridation
By Sally Stride Fluoridation - No Benefit - Definite Risks
New York - January 25, 2010 -- Sixty-five years ago, sodium fluoride powder was slowly poured into Grand Rapids, Michigan's public water supply to see if drinking fluoridated water (fluoridation) really safely reduced children's tooth decay. Nearby Muskegon was left fluoridation-free, for only 5 years, as the experiment's control city for comparison purposes even though evaluations were made after 15 years.
(1) Before then, sodium fluoride was mainly used as a rat poison. The study failed and was seriously flawed; but early over-zealous fluoridationists ignored this inconvenient truth.

(2) Fluoridation was declared a success, anywayand spread across the country and the world based on positive-spun PR but invalid science.

So what's happening today? Grand Rapids children have high rates of tooth decay and fluoride overdose - dental fluorosis - white spotted, yellow, brown and/or pitted enamel.

(3) According to the Grand Rapids Press, one pediatric dentist said in 2007 "...we see children under the age of 2 with active decay...Rather than just a few cavities, we're seeing a lot of cavities. It's not unusual to see a child with 8 to 10 cavities."

(4) Despite 65 years of water fluoridation reaching 70% of Americans in public water supplies and virtually 100% via the food supply and despite 55 years of fluoridated toothpaste, tooth decay has increased in our most fluoridated population - toddlers - and UNtreated tooth decay has risen, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

(5) Incredibly, American children have died from the consequences of untreated tooth decay. (5a) with up to 48% of US school children now sporting dental fluorosis, according to the CDC.

Today sodium fluoride is purchased from China and something's wrong with it. Water engineers complain it's clogging up their systems.

(6) Fluoridation opposition is scientific, respectable and growing.

Over 2,700 professionals urge the US Congress to stop water fluoridation until Congressional hearings are conducted, citing scientific evidence that fluoridation, long promoted to fight tooth decay, is ineffective and has serious health risks. See statement click here

Also, eleven Environmental Protection Agency employee unions representing over 7,000 environmental and public health professionals called for a moratorium on drinking water fluoridation programs across the country, and have asked EPA management to recognize fluoride as posing a serious risk of causing cancer in people.

Approximately, 80 US communities rejected fluoridation in 2008 and 2009.

NASA attacks the moon

January 27, 2010
While sitting on a wooden chair in front of a typewriter to keep big brother from seeing what I am typing, with an aluminum foil hat on my head to keep out mind control waves, I'll take a moment to share my secret knowledge of conspiracies..........

Thought provoking article

USA - Dental foundation takes aim at kids' poor oral health

Dental foundation takes aim at kids' poor oral health
Grant money will be used in Md.'s lower-income areas
..............More than a third of the state's kindergartners and third graders in 2006 had untreated tooth decay, according to the foundation. And, in 2007, more than 70 percent of children in the state's Medicaid program had never seen a dentist...........

Maryland is 94% fluoridated:NYSCOF

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

USA - Flouride concerns are worth probing

Flouride concerns are worth probing
It's clearly a controversial thing to do, but Amesbury's Robert Desmarais deserves credit for taking the path of caution when it comes to public health.

Desmarais, the director of the town's Department of Public Works, has been concerned about residue left over in the town's water system by sodium fluoride powder that the town uses to add fluoride to its water. The town stopped adding the powder in April and still has concerns about what that residue contains. When the powder is put into the water system, about 40 percent of it doesn't dissolve as it should.

There's good reason to be concerned. The sodium fluoride comes from China, which doesn't have a particularly good track record when it comes to consumer product safety. Whether its lead in toys or poison in necklaces and toothpaste, China has been lax in enforcing the kinds of safety rules that we would expect our own nation's industries to adhere to. Fluoride used to be produced by American or Japanese companies, but they've been undersold by Chinese suppliers. Desmarais and others have pointed out that the residue wasn't present until the product was imported from China.

Amesbury has tested the residue and has not been able to determine what it is, thus the reason for halting the use of it.....................

Canada - Fluoride a ‘dead issue’

Fluoride a ‘dead issue’
The newly-elected chair of the Thunder Bay District Board of Health says fluoride is a dead issue.
Shuniah Reeve Maria Harding was elected chair at the board's annual meeting last week, taking over the reins from Joe Virdiramo.
Harding said the board has voted to end the fluoride debate for now. The Health Unit spent $90,000 last year on its campaign to have fluoride added to the City's drinking water.
Harding said the board will only push for fluoridation if the province mandates it, similar to what occurred with smoking laws under Smoke Free Ontario.
She added that the subject has been a very controversial one.
Meanwhile, Harding says the Health Unit will soon welcome its new Acting Medical Officer of Health.
Dr. Henry Kurban is expected to take on that role in March.

Monday, January 25, 2010

USA - Watsonville Considers Fluorination At Tuesday’s Council Meeting

Watsonville Considers Fluorination At Tuesday’s Council Meeting
January 25th, 2010
Digital News Report – The city of Watsonville will be discussing a controversial measure that would put fluoride in the drinking water. Although there is a grant involved, the fluoridation can cost the city money.

Both the Public Works Director, David Koch, and the Water Division Manager, Steve Palmisano, are recommending the council contract with the California Dental Association to fund fluoridation of the city water supply.

“A grant was offered to the City by the Fluoridation 2010 Work Group on February 13, 2002 in the amount of $946,000. Of the total, $817,000 was designated for the capital costs, including design, purchase and installation of the fluoridation facilities,” Koch said in a statement.

The remaining $129,000 would be used to operate the facility for one year. It is uncertain whether the city would be stuck paying for the facility and its maintenance after that.

City staff has been negotiating with the California Dental Association for over a year. There are opponents of this proposal and the voters of Watsonville rejected fluoridation back in 2002.

Since money is available in the form of a grant, the California Department of Health is ordering Watsonville to go forward with a plan to fluorinate the water, or face a $200 a day fine. “The Compliance Order also stated that failure to comply with the Order may result in fines of up to $200 per day,” Koch said.

State law says that if grant money is available, the city must fluorinate. If the grants run out after two years, there is no guarantee the city will continue fluorination.

By: Robert Williams

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Going Green: Taking Care of Those House Plants During Winter Months

Going Green: Taking Care of Those House Plants During Winter Months
By Jim Bona
...........................Remember to let your tap water sit a day or two before watering to let the fluoride/chlorine escape. Tap water, especially hard water, will cause minerals and salts to concentrate in the soil of the plants and should be flushed out every so often for good root health. Plants in the same pot for long periods can also become root bound and must be transplanted so that they stay vital. Make sure that plants stay away from cold drafts, which is like putting them in the fridge this time of year.

It’s not too hard to have indoor plants. It can be a source of great optimism and consolation during these cold, miserable winter months.

Jim Bona is a technician at Colgate University and a trustee of the village of Hamilton. He can be reached at jbona@mail.colgate.edu.

Chlorine, yes but fluoride?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUzEJoW1U2s&feature=related

Saturday, January 23, 2010

An alternative to fluoride

An alternative to fluoride
22nd Jan 2010
For decades, oral healthcare has been focused on the effects of fluoride and how it prevents enamel demineralisation caused by acidic food, drink and plaque because it helps to reinforce and strengthen enamel.

This is because when fluoride interacts with enamel hydroxyapatite, it results in fluorapatite, which is less soluble and more mechanically resistant.

Indeed, much scientific evidence supports the positive effect that fluoride has on oral health, and subsequently a lot of oral care products containing fluoride have been patented. In some countries, drinking water has also been enriched with fluoride.

However, fluoride is not essential for human growth and its content in the body is not under physiological control. Once absorbed, for example, fluoride is rapidly distributed throughout the body and is retained only in calcified tissues. As a result, dangerous health conditions have been linked to the daily intake of fluoride and many studies have proven that there are actually high risks associated with fluoride, in particular for children (fluorosis) and for old people (bone disease).

Despite these findings, fluoride continues to be widely used in oral care products to prevent enamel surface demineralisation .................................

USA - Fluoridated water, Martinelli’s juice products don’t mix


John Martinelli, owner of S. Martinelli & Co., shown here with a new line of Martinelli Fruit Virtues beverages, is concerned about the City of Watsonville adding fluoride to its drinking water. (Photo by Tarmo Hannula)

Fluoridated water, Martinelli’s juice products don’t mix
Modified: Saturday, Jan 23rd, 2010
BY: JON CHOWN
Fluoridation of Watsonville’s water is the only topic on Tuesday’s City Council agenda, and with the apparently imminent decision to accept funding to fluoridate, John Martinelli, owner of S. Martinelli & Co., is very concerned.
Martinelli said Friday that he doesn’t know what he will do if the city opts to fluoridate, but he does know he won’t use the water in his product.
“Fluoridating the water is a very adversarial thing to do from our perspective,” Martinelli said. “We simply are not going to put it into our product — period.”
Martinelli says he isn’t convinced fluoridated water is completely healthy. European countries do not fluoridate their water due to a range of health concerns, including the heavy metals that are also introduced into the water with the fluoride, the fact that the dosage of fluoride one receives can’t be controlled, and that it may cause osteoporosis later in life. In 2002, the Belgian government announced that it intended to become the first European Union government to outlaw fluoride-related products — with the exception of toothpaste — on health grounds. The country’s health minister, Magda Aelvoet, claimed that too much fluoride could damage the nervous system and might cause osteoporosis, especially in children, although she conceded it was effective at preventing tooth decay.

Friday, January 22, 2010

UK - Lymington Times - Government urged by MP to clarify fluoridation policy

Government urged by MP to clarify fluoridation policy
CLARITY has been demanded by New Forest East MP Julian Lewis over the government's position on a fluoridation plan affecting 8,000 people in Totton.
Although prime minister Gordon Brown and cabinet member John Denham have noted the need for public support before adding the chemical, Dr Lewis highlighted a House of Lords government spokeswoman who said "we support" the plan.
In the House of Commons, he called for a health minister to make a statement to explain the true position.
Fluoridation is meant to combat child tooth decay in the city and, if implemented, will affect 190,000 people in Southampton and surrounding areas. Totton will be included because of the layout of the pipes.
But opponents are fighting the plan in the High Court after it was approved last year by the South Central Strategic Health Authority (SHA). They resent "forced medication" and have safety concerns about the chemical.
In his latest attack, Dr Lewis targeted a written statement by Baroness Thornton in the House of Lords when she highlighted "unacceptably high" figures from 2006-09 showing an average of 500 children a year in the city had decaying teeth removed.
A statistical fall over recent years was because data was now only recorded with parental consent, she said, which meant children in deprived areas who were more likely to have tooth decay were actually less likely to be counted.
But she added: "We continue to support South Central Strategic Health Authority's decision to fluoridate a large part of Southampton and parts of south-west Hampshire."
In response to Dr Lewis's call for an explanation of the government's position, the leader of the House of Commons, Harriet Harman, said she would ask the health secretary, Andy Burnham, to write to him.
As reported in the 'A&T, the SHA is fighting the anti-fluoride campaign on several fronts after it approved Southampton Primary Care Trust's proposals.
A complaint by Dr Lewis has also been made to the NHS ombudsman complaining that the SHA's consultation was "biased" and it ignored residents' opinions. A more recent bid to block fluoride under European Union law failed.

UK - Let this battle be a warning to all political parties

HAMPSHIRE’S heroic battle against fluoridation is a warning to all political parties.
Its message is simple - when politicians discard democracy for dictatorship, the people will discard the politicians.
The Green Party is calling on voters to ditch pro-fluoride MPs and councillors.
We need good dentists, not bad legislation. We cannot deselect the unelected SHA, but we can deselect their political masters - and we should do so.
This Government thought a sham consultation would fool the electorate. When this failed, they resorted to blatant bullying, forcing people into accepting an arguably fascist policy.
The fluoridation laws are an abuse of democracy, human rights and medical ethics.
The cynical strategy to deny the electorate their constitutional rights on this issue must be overturned before it's too late.
In America doctors have already mooted the idea of adding statins to drinking water. In Japan some think that Lithium through the taps might help prevent depression and suicides.
When we cross that line and start using the water supply as a conduit for medication, there's no going back. The Terror Laws have been shockingly abused - the principle of fluoridation is open to similar abuse. If dental caries can be treated via our drinking water, why not obesity? Why not add vitamins, or statins, or any other drugs in 'safe' low doses?
How far are the pro fluoride brigade prepared to go?
Remember - the political mindset that allowed this legislation in the first place is unlikely to be moved by ethical arguments in the future. Sadly Sir George Young supports fluoridation, despite being fully informed of the health risks and the democratic abuse.
His is an increasingly isolated position. Local MPs Dr Julian Lewis, Sandra Gidley, Chris Huhne and the leader of the Green Party Dr Caroline Lucas and all local councils bar Southampton Central, oppose the measure.
I asked Sir George if he would join a cross party initiative led by Dr Lucas, in a request to the Health Ombudsman to investigate the unlawful use of the medically unlicensed chemical Hexafluorosilicic Acid in drinking water, which is illegal according to UK and EU Law.
I stressed that as a purely legal matter, this was above and beyond personal opinion. Nevertheless, he declined.Sir George's stance on this issue of public health and democratic rights is of concern.
For the sake of Andover people who may be next in line for fluoridation, I sincerely hope he has a change of heart.

Jennifer Godschall Johnson, Balksbury Hill, Upper Clatford.

USA - Local event highlights children’s need for dental care

Local event highlights children’s need for dental care
Dunn County (Press Release) - On Friday, Feb. 5, approximately 16 children without resources for dental care will receive free dental services ranging from oral health education to preventive screening and treatment as part of national Give Kids A Smile® day.

The children, ages 3 to 17, were referred to the event by the Dunn County Health Department, coordinating with Rural Health Dental Clinic and local schools. Many participating families have two or more children who will receive services. Greg Green, D.D.S., of Lakeside Dental in Menomonie, is participating in the program.

Last year, more than 44,650 dental team members nationwide participated in Give Kids A Smile®, a program first held in 2003 by the American Dental Association (ADA) to provide care and raise awareness of the importance of access to dental care for poor children.

"It's heartbreaking to see a child's smile destroyed by severe tooth decay," says Dr. Green. "Imagine not being able to eat, sleep and pay attention in school because you have a mouthful of toothaches. Some children have reached the point where the only alternative is a mouth full of crowns or pulling the teeth that can't be saved. It's tragic. Our state needs to do more to help children get the dental care they need."

According to a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of U.S. children ages 2-9 suffer from untreated tooth decay. While poor diet and oral hygiene certainly play a role, cavities are actually caused by a disease called caries, which is five times more common than asthma.

Comments
nyscof
93% of Wisconsin's water supplies are fluoridated - costing taxpayers millions of dollars a year in chemicals, maintenance, employee salaries, etc. Obviously, it's useless in solving this dental health crisis

Despite an increase in fluoridation, tooth sealants, fluoride varnish, untreated tooth decay has increased in the last ten years. It's time to put the money where the mouth is. Stop the health-robbing ineffective fluoridation of public water supplies and use that money to fill children's teeth all year round.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Household chemical linked to thyroid disease


The chemical, which has been linked to thyroid disease, is thought to enter the body via household dust and contaminated food. Photograph: Bryan Mullennix/Getty

Why your sofa may harm your health• Household chemical linked to thyroid disease
• Scientists call for full investigation into safety

Ian Sample, science correspondent The Guardian, Thursday 21 January 2010
A common household chemical found in everything from sofas and carpets to pots and pans has been linked to an increased risk of thyroid disease, in the first major study carried out on its effect upon health.

The substance, used to make nonstick cookware, stain-resistant furnishings and greaseproof wrappers, is believed to get into the body through contaminated food or household dust. Once in the body it accumulates in organs and other tissues.

People with high levels of the chemical in their blood were found to be twice as likely to have thyroid problems as those with the lowest levels, according to a survey of medical records of nearly 4,000 otherwise healthy US adults. The study is published in the journal, Environmental Health Perspectives.

Scientists said they cannot be certain the chemical is directly responsible for the rise in thyroid disease but called for a full investigation to assess its safety.

Studies in animals have found that the chemical, PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), and a sister substance called PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate), can cause thyroid problems and a variety of other medical conditions, including hormone imbalances, liver disease and cancer.

"It's been thought that because they're inert they don't cause any health problems, but we're starting to see some evidence that is suggesting that's not true," said Tamara Galloway, professor of ecotoxicology at Exeter University. "Because these chemicals are inert they are persistent and they build up in the environment and also in human and animal tissues."

We all have trace levels of PFOA in our bodies that we pick up from the environment. The substance is so stable that it persists for years. It has been detected in people around the world and in wildlife as diverse as birds, fish and polar bears.

The thyroid gland produces hormones that control the body's metabolism and are vital for regulating heart rate and temperature. Thyroid disease can make the gland produce too much or too little hormone. An underactive thyroid can cause exhaustion, depression and weight gain. If the gland is overactive, it can cause weight loss and a rapid heartbeat. Women are 10 times more likely to have thyroid problems than men.

The Exeter researchers trawled medical records on the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a database representative of the country's adult population. They found 3,966 people aged 20 and older whose blood had been tested for PFOA and PFOS between 1999 and 2006.

The scientists put the patients into four groups depending on the concentration of PFOA in their blood. The records showed that 16% of women in the top group had thyroid problems, compared with 8% in the lowest group. A similar trend was seen in men, though the number who had thyroid disease was small.

Co-author David Melzer, professor of epidemiology and public health at the Peninsula Medical School in Exeter, said: "There have long been suspicions that PFOA concentrations might be linked to changes in thyroid hormone levels. Our analysis shows that in the ordinary adult population there is a solid statistical link between higher concentrations of PFOA in blood and thyroid disease."

The scientists concede that their study does not confirm PFOA is causing thyroid disease. One alternative explanation is that thyroid disease makes PFOA accumulate more quickly in the body.

An investigation into the health effects of PFOA is underway in West Virginia, where thousands of people have been exposed over decades after the chemical was released from an industrial plant owned by the US manufacturer, DuPont. Tony Fletcher, a scientist working on the investigation and an environmental epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said a full report is due next year.

The US Food and Drug Administration has a voluntary agreement with several companies to phase out PFOA production over the next few years. Ashley Grossman, professor of neuroendocrinology at Queen Mary, University of London, said: "We also don't know whether this chemical is directly affecting the thyroid. Thyroid disease is often caused by the body's own immune system attacking the thyroid gland, so perhaps this chemical is having some effect on the immune system, rather than directly on the thyroid.

"We'd need to do a lot more research to verify this link and to understand how the two are linked. In the meantime, it's important to remember that thyroid disease can be successfully treated."

A spokesman for the Health Protection Agency said: "A study like this cannot establish cause and effect. An independent scientific advisory committee has looked at the published evidence and found no reason to suspect the chemical causes thyroid problems."

Much used chemical
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a manmade chemical known for its heat resistance and water, grease and stain repelling properties. Manufacturers use PFOA to make fluoropolymers, used in thousands of products. It is turned into non-stick coatings for cookware, flame retardants in furnishings, stain protection treatments for carpets, wire coatings and waterproof clothing such as Gore-Tex.

UK - Normal children's toothpaste not strong enough

Normal children's toothpaste not strong enough to prevent tooth decay, study finds
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 4:11 PM on 20th January 2010
Comments (32) Add to My Stories
Parents should use toothpaste with stronger concentrations of fluoride to prevent tooth decay in their children, a new report says.
Researchers found that toothpaste that contained fluoride concentrations less than 1,000 parts per million were only as effective at preventing tooth decay as non-fluoride products.
The study, carried out by the Cochrane Oral Health Group, based at the University of Manchester, has previously shown that fluoride toothpastes reduce dental decay by 24 per cent
The group's latest research, which involved 79 trials on 73,000 children worldwide, also suggested that brushing a child's teeth with a fluoride toothpaste before the age of 12 months could lead to an increased risk of developing mild fluorosis.
Children's toothpastes currently range from 100 parts per million to 1,400 parts per million.
Swallowing large amounts of toothpaste can still cause fluorosis in children up to the age of six, when the permanent teeth are still developing, but using a small amount can reduce these risks, according to the report.
Dr Anne-Marie Glenny, one of the report's authors, said: 'It is very confusing for parents to know how to strike the right balance, which isn't helped by the fact that different companies use different concentrations of fluoride in their toothpastes aimed at children.
'From a public health point of view, the risk of tooth decay and its consequences such as pain and extractions is greater than the small risk of fluorosis.

'Children would have to swallow a lot of toothpaste over a long period of time to get the severe brown mottling on the teeth, as opposed to the more typical mild white patches.
'For children that are considered to be at a high risk of tooth decay by their dentist, the benefit to health of preventing decay is likely to outweigh the risk of fluorosis.
'In such cases, careful brushing of their children's teeth by parents with a small amount of toothpaste containing higher levels of fluoride would be beneficial.'

UK - Daily Echo - Shadow health boss calls for vote on fluoride

Shadow health boss calls for vote on fluoride
By Clare Kennedy
clare.kennedy@dailyecho.co.uk
THE SHADOW health secretary has backed calls for a referendum over plans to fluoridate Hampshire tap water.
Andrew Lansley described the public consultation carried out by South Central Strategic Health Authority (SCSHA) into the controversial proposal as "not real".
And Mr Lansley, who could be in charge of the country's health service if the Conservatives win the next election, said that a referendum would allow the public their say.
"A referendum is a simple way of giving the public a real opportunity to make a decision about this," said Mr Lansley "I think in Southampton and South Hampshire the consultation was not real because effectively what happened was that they (SCSHA) said, 'We have looked at the evidence and we think we should fluoridate the water.' "They (SCSHA) then had a consultation with the public. About 75 per cent of the public said, Actually we are against this.' And they (SCSHA) said, 'We know you said you are against it but we have looked at the evidence and we think it's the right thing to do.' So what was the point of the consultation?"
Mr Lansley said that even though he was personally in favour of fluoridation, the public had to be convinced of any benefits before a decision was made. "If the public cannot be persuaded that it is the right thing to do, I think you have to step back and ask, 'Well, what are we getting wrong?' "
Plans to add fluoride to tap water in two thirds of Southampton, plus parts of Eastleigh, Totton, Netley and Rownhams, are the subject of a judicial review. Later this year the High Court is due to consider a complaint that the health authority should not have approved the scheme last February because of public opposition.
A health authority spokesman said: "SCSHA remains confident that the decision made by the SHA Board was carried out in the best interests of the health of people living in the Southampton area."

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

UK - Daily Echo - Prime Minister accused of making 'empty promises'

Prime Minister accused of making 'empty promises'
By Chris Yandell
chris.yandeU@dailyecho.co.uk

PRIME Minister Gordon Brown has been accused of making empty promises to the people of Southampton over plans to fluoridate their tap water.
Campaigners spoke out after Baroness Thornton, Labour's health spokesman in the House of Lords, said the Government "continues to support" the controversial scheme.
During a visit to Southampton last year Mr Brown said the people of Southampton should decide if fluoride should be added to drinking water. The city's two MPs, John
Denham and Dr Alan Whitehead, have called for the project to be shelved in the face of massive opposition.
But Baroness Thornton told the Lords that the number of children who needed general anaesthetic for tooth extractions remained unacceptably high. She added: "We continue to support South Central Strategic Health Authority's decision to fluoridate a large part of Southampton and parts of southwest Hampshire."
New Forest East MP Dr Julian Lewis, a leading anti-fluoride campaigner, said: "The Government has once again shown its true colours. "The statement made by Gordon Brown in Southampton last year was a meaningless pledge. "The Government has got a completely closed mind on this. They're hell-bent on fluoridation and always have been. They're not listening to the people -or their elected representatives."
But Mr Denham attempted to play down the remarks made by Baroness Thornton, describing them as "not particularly significant". He added: "The Government supports in principle the fluoridation of water but believes decisions should be taken at a local level. "I don't believe that fluoridation should go ahead unless there is public support for doing so."
Plans to add fluoride to tap water in two-thirds of Southampton, plus parts of Eastleigh, Totton, Netley and Rownhams are the subject of a judicial review.
Later this year the High Court is expected to consider a complaint that the health authority should not have approved the scheme last February because of public opposition.
More than 10,000 people took part in a public consultation exercise, with nearly three-quarters of those living in the areas to be fluoridated saying they were against the project.
In a separate phone poll 38 per cent opposed fluoridation compared to 32 per cent who voiced their backing.
However, the majority of Southampton city councillors supported the scheme when the authority held a free vote on the issue.
Pressure group Hampshire Against Fluoride is encouraging voters to support only anti-fluoride candidates in this year's local and Parliamentary elections.
The Daily Echo has backed calls for a referendum on the fluoride issue.

Go to the Echo to vote for or against fluoridation

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Australia - Fluoride furore

Fluoride furore
Posted on January 19, 2010, 10:10am
More than 120 residents raised banners and posters and passionately voiced their stand against the addition of fluoridation to Mount Gambier’s drinking water during a protest march down Commercial Street on Saturday morning.
Leading the group, march organisers Russell Smith and Sharon Stafford were followed by protestors chanting “no to fluoride” and “fluoride is poison” as they walked from Vansittart Park to the Civic Centre, where more supporters joined them for an anti-fluoride rally.
Passing the protestors, motorists joined in by blowing their horns and yelling “tell ‘em”, and “good on ya” from open car windows.
The protest came as a fluoridation plant is being constructed at the Blue Lake in preparation for the addition of fluoride to the lake’s drinking water supply from July to help fight tooth decay.
Also in the crowd was Dr Andrew Harms, former state president of the Australian Dental Association (ADA) — who stepped onto a block of limestone symbolising what protestors claim is the environmental damage fluoride could do to the environment — to deliver his speech to the crowd.
Dr Harms, who once supported the addition of fluoride to drinking water, but said he later resigned from the ADA when he found evidence that fluoride was a poison which caused illnesses such as rheumatism, expressed his disappointment at government officials’ lack of interest in listening to the people.
“I attend anti-fluoride protests all over the country and not once have I seen any Federal, State or council officials attend these rallies — not even councillors or mayors,” he said.
But Mount Gambier Mayor Steve Perryman, who had been quietly observing proceedings, quickly interrupted the speaker by raising his hand and introducing himself to the crowd.
“The mayor of Mount Gambier is here,” Mr Perryman said, causing an unexpected outburst from members of the crowd.
“Come on Steve, tell us then what is your stand as mayor on this?” they shouted.
Mr Perryman told the crowd that council had no authority over health and water supply issues.
“Council has in the past 10 to 12 years been consistent in its position that the State Government should allow the community to decide whether water should be fluoridated,” Mr Perryman said drawing applause.
Meanwhile, Health Minister John Hill implied in a statement to The Border Watch yesterday that community consultation on fluoridation was closed.
“The debate on fluoridation was settled in the rest of Australia over 30 years ago and fluoride has been added to the water in metropolitan Adelaide since 1971,” Mr Hill said.
“Consultation on this matter (took part) in Mount Gambier in June 2005 as part of the development of the SA Oral Health Plan.
“This consultation included a well-advertised public meeting and the publication of a consultation paper outlining the benefits of water fluoridation.
“In 2004, children in Mount Gambier had 40pc more dental decay than children in the Riverland, where the water’s fluoridated.
“Poor dental health is also linked to a range of wider health conditions, including heart disease in later life, so there will be long-term benefits for all the people of Mount Gambier.”

Australia - Debate sought over fluoridation plans

Debate sought over fluoridation plans
Posted 4 hours 17 minutes ago
South Australian health authorities say they will meet people in Mount Gambier before the city's fluoridation plant begins operating.
A former president of the Australian Dental Association, Dr Andrew Harms, wants a public debate with the South Australian Government over plans to fluoridate Mount Gambier's water supply.
He says there are proven health risks associated with adding fluoride to drinking water.
David Cunliffe from SA Health says there are plenty of studies showing that fluoridation is safe and improves dental health.
"There is good Australian evidence that it reduces dental care needs and some of that has been led by Professor John Spencer from Adelaide and his team," he said.
"So there are publications that show that adding fluoride does improve dental health."

Sunday, January 17, 2010

USA - Why Haven't Fruit & Vegetable Eaters Been Told About This Toxic Waste Overload?

Why Haven't Fruit & Vegetable Eaters Been Told About This Toxic Waste Overload?
Posted by: Dr. Mercola
January 16 2010 | 89,867 views
The U.S. government is encouraging farmers to spread a chalky waste from coal-fired power plants on their fields to loosen and fertilize soil.
The material is produced by power plant "scrubbers" that remove acid-rain-causing sulfur dioxide from plant emissions.
The substance is a synthetic form of the mineral gypsum, and it also contains mercury, arsenic, lead and other heavy metals.
The Environmental Protection Agency says those toxic metals occur in only tiny amounts. But some environmentalists say too little is known about how the material affects crops, and ultimately human health.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

An investigative report by Anna Meisle:


Anna Meisel's video

Friday, January 15, 2010

USA - Louisiana Town Divided on Water Fluoridation

Louisiana Town Divided on Water Fluoridation
By Shawn Watson, About.com Guide to Dentistry
Thursday January 14, 2010
The debate over whether or not fluoride should be added to the public water supply erupted earlier this week in Walker, Louisiana. According to 2theadvocate.com, some residents of the town, located outside Baton Rouge, are opposed to the addition of fluoride to their drinking water. Facing heavy opposition, Mayor Bobby Font remains committed to educating residents on the benefits of fluoride. The date has yet to be determined, as to when the town will begin their water fluoridation program.

Water fluoridation is a very sensitive issue, because most dental experts agree that fluoride is safe for use. Research indicates that the rate of cavities in areas where the water is fluoridated decreases significantly compared to areas where fluoride is not added to the water -- but does that outweigh the risks involved with fluoride use? Not too long ago, I asked my readers if they thought water should be fluoridated. Most respondents were very passionate against water fluoridation. Many believe that it causes health concerns ranging from dental fluorosis to neurological disorders. Others believe that fluoride is a beneficial additive to the water supply.

I want to revisit the issue, and ask you again: Do You Think Fluoride Should be Added to Public Drinking Water?

Thursday, January 14, 2010

UK - Test chemicals in fluoride, demand protesters

Test chemicals in fluoride, demand protesters
13th Jan 2010
The anti-fluoride lobby is calling for fluoride to be licensed as a medicine in another bid to ban it from the nation's tap water.

Campaigners have lodged this latest complaint while they await the outcome of a judicial review on adding fluoride to tap water in Southampton, prompted by a resident who was against the plans by the city's health bosses.

The fluoridation move itself followed a public consultation in 2008 in which more than 10,000 people had their say.

Earlier, health chiefs in Southampton had released pictures of children's rotten teeth to back up their plan and in the hope of improving the city's poor dental health statistics, especially in more deprived areas of the city.

Since then, campaign group Hampshire Against Fluoridation (HAF) has called on the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to examine whether fluoride needs to be treated in the same way as other medicines.

The MHRA rejected this, believing drinking water to be covered by different legislation and therefore not within its remit.

But politicians have now suggested the agency be censured for allegedly breaking the law by refusing to test the chemicals involved.
Hampshire MEP Caroline Lucas and New Forest East MP Julian Lewis have both written to the parliamentary and health service ombudsman, demanding an investigation.
If successful, it could mean fluoridation will be halted across the country while the chemicals are tested.
HAF chairman John Spottiswoode (above) says because health bosses argued fluoridation is needed to improve dental health, they have admitted it is being used as a medicine, adding that it is ‘immoral and illegal to medicate anyone without consent'.

Mr Spottiswoode said: ‘It is clearly being used for a supposedly medical reason (to reduce cavities) and Lord Jauncy some time ago ruled that this is a medicinal use.

‘It is also clearly a medicinal use under the European law (applicable in the UK). Therefore, the MHRA is required to licence fluoride for use in water to medicinal standards. This, in turn, means that the fluoride needs to pass medicinal standard test to prove that:
• it works to reduce cavities significantly in the population, with a controlled dosage level
• it is safe without any dangerous side effects, even for ‘at risk' people (young, old, kidney patients, thyroid patient, etc.)
• it is supplied to medicinal purity standards (without the radionuclide and arsenic contamination currently common).'

He adds: ‘Incredibly, fluoride has never been subjected to these tests. Therefore, everyone drinking fluoridated water is being experimented upon and there could be serious health side-effects as have been identified in research. It is a major health scandal that so many people are being put at risk.'

In a response to the call, a spokesperson for the MHRA said: 'The MHRA is aware of a complaint that has been made to the health ombudsman about the MHRA's decision not to classify fluoridated water as a medicinal product.

'The MHRA believes that drinking water clearly falls within the definition of food and notes that there is specific legislation to control drinking water which is administered by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. That legislation is not part of medicines legislation.

'The MHRA considers that neither the fluoride added to drinking water nor the resulting fluoridated water is a medicinal product. Claims made for non-medicinal products fall outside the MHRA's jurisdiction.

She added: 'The MHRA will await communication from the health ombudsman on this issue if necessary.'

The government is keen to roll out the fluoridation of the UK's tap water in areas not already affected – but this latest move could stall plans.

The anti-fluoride complaints are gathering momentum elsewhere in the country.

Joy Warren, of West Midlands Against Fluoridation (WAAF), waded into the debate.

She said: ‘I heard today that my MP has sent my complaint about the MHRA's high-handedness to the health service ombudsman. The complaint has been registered. I can only hope that others in the anti-fluoridation networks throughout England have also done the same and that some of their MPs have also forwarded their complaints to the ombudsman's office.'

Author
Julie Bissett

UK - Daily Echo - Activists will contest the seats of fluoridation supporters

SOUTHAMPTON: Activists will contest the seats of fluoridation supporters
'Oust those who backed fluoride'
By Jon Reeve
jon.reeve@daily echo.co.uk
ANTI-fluoridation activists have launched a campaign to stop politicians who
backed the Hampshire scheme being re-elected.
They want to see anyone who supported plans to add the chemical to the tap
water supplies of nearly 200,000 residents in and around Southampton booted
out of office.
The No F in Southampton campaign encourages voters to support only
candidates who are fighting the scheme in this year's local and
Parliamentary elections. It is the brainchild of the Green Party, whose
candidate for John Denham's Southampton Itchen seat is John Spottiswoode,
chairman of Hampshire Against Fluoridation, which has led the battle to stop
health chiefs adding fluoride to the water.
"We need to get rid of all those F politicians who voted for fluoridation,"
said Mr Spottiswoode.
"We need people to vote only for candidates who will commit themselves to
stopping water fluoridation in Southampton."
The plans to add fluoride to water delivered to homes in two-thirds of
Southampton and parts of Eastleigh, Totton, Netley and Rownhams, are
currently the subject of a judicial review.
The high court is later this year expected to consider a complaint that
South Central Strategic Health Authority (SHA) should not have voted
unanimously in favour of the scheme last February because of public
opposition.
More than 10,000 people responded to the SHA's public consultation, with
nearly three-quarters of those living in the area to be fluoridated saying
they were against the project. In a separate phone poll, 38 per cent opposed
fluoridation compared to 32 per cent who backed it. Southampton City Council
held a free vote on the plans, which saw a majority of councillors back
fluoridation. Their colleagues at Hampshire County, New Forest District,
Eastleigh Borough and Test Valley Borough councils all opposed the scheme.
New Forest Bast MP Julian Lewis, Romsey and Southampton North's Sandra
Gidley, and Chris Huhne, who represents Eastleigh, have all supported
campaigners fighting fluoridation. Mr Denham and Southampton Test MP Alan
Whitehead both say they agree with the principle of adding fluoride to water
supplies, but have called for the scheme to be put on hold in the face of
public opposition.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

USA - Fluoridation plans stir debate in Walker

Fluoridation plans stir debate in Walker
By VIC COUVILLION
Special to The Advocate
Published: Jan 13, 2010
WALKER — The 1950s-era debate over fluoridation of municipal water supplies to fight tooth decay flared anew in Walker, where opponents called on the Board of Aldermen on Monday to reconsider an earlier decision to inject the chemical into the town water supply.
After the procession of speakers had addressed the board, Mayor Bobby Font said his office will continue to inform citizens about the fluoride program which, Font said, will start at an undetermined date.
Walker resident Rebecca Inman, who said she had done extensive research on the issue, told the aldermen that fluoride has been linked to numerous potential health problems.
She asserted that fluoride is a toxic substance that can cause kidney impairment, weaken bones, cause discoloration of the teeth and even decrease the intelligence quotient of children.............................

The Bilderberg Group 4/4 - Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

The Bilderberg Group 3/4 - Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura

Monday, January 11, 2010

Australia - New deadline for fluoride

New deadline for fluoride
11th January 2010
RESIDENTS now have more time to make submissions on Rous Water’s review of environmental factors for the construction and operation of five fluoridation plants.
This news comes in the wake of a weekend NSW Health announcement that 48 per cent of children in the State have untreated tooth decay.
Rous general manager Kyme Lavelle said the public consultation period would now close on February 5 at 4.30pm.
“I recognise that many people travel over the Christmas/New Year period and may have missed the opportunity to participate in the consultation process,” he said.
This comes after complaints from the Ballina Fluoridation Free Network about the time frame.
Originally the deadline was set for January 18.
Spokeswoman for the group, Ilga Sleja, said that was ‘totally inadequate and inappropriate’.
The NSW Department of Health has issued Rous Water with a directive to provide fluoridated water to residents in the Ballina, Lismore and Richmond Valley council areas, but not Byron.
This led to the need for the purpose-built dosing plants at Clunes, Knockrow, Dorroughby, Corndale and Marom Creek.

The Bilderberg Group 2/4 - Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura

The History of Fluoride, A century of neurological breakdown

Sunday, January 10, 2010

The Bilderberg Group 1/4 - Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura

Saturday, January 09, 2010

UK - Greens launch ‘No F in Southampton’ campaign

Greens launch ‘No F in Southampton’ campaign
SW Hampshire Green Party announced that it is launching a ‘No F in Southampton’ campaign to tie in with the various elections in 2010. Not only will this support the campaign of Hampshire Against Fluoridation, but this campaign will focus on the political aspects.
John Spottiswoode, Green Party Parliamentary Candidate for Southampton Itchen said: “As the decision to fluoridate our drinking water in Southampton was a political decision made by the government in Westminster, which the Strategic health Authority felt obliged to follow, therefore it needs a political solution. We need to get rid of all those F politicians who voted for fluoridation. We need people to vote ONLY for candidates who will commit themselves to stopping water fluoridation in Southampton.”
The Green Party will seek to replace those politicians who voted for fluoridation in the Southampton area both at the General Election and at Council elections in May. John Spottiswoode continued “It is completely morally unacceptable for elected people to try to force everyone in Southampton to drink fluoridated water, especially when 72% rejected the proposal in the Public Consultation. This is forced medication of a whole population for trivial reasons. What will they vote to put in our water next? Do our current politicians not realise the damage putting a toxin in water does not only to people but to the whole local environment?”
“The Green Party has set up a new web site for the ‘No F in Southampton’ campaign, http://www.nofinsouthampton.co.uk/ which has Twitter and RSS feeds so people can be kept continuously up to date with the campaign. We need politicians to realise that they cannot cut across people’s rights to have unadulterated drinking water without losing their seats. Politicians must not be allowed to get away with this sort of behaviour which is not only immoral but against the wishes of the vast majority of people in Southampton.”

Notes:

See web site http://www.nofinsouthampton.co.uk/ for more details.

USA - Underprivileged kids get free dentistry

Underprivileged kids get free dentistry
Four hundred underprivileged Miami youngsters are set to receive free dental care thanks to Nova Southeastern University.
Pupils from three North Beach elementary schools will now be given free tooth-cleanings, fluoride sealant application and oral hygiene advice.
The treatment is being funded by a $58,141 grant which was given to the university’s (NSU) dental school by the Dr John T Macdonald Foundation.
According to NSU figures, more than 50 per cent of youngsters, that don’t have medical insurance, haven’t not seen a dentist in the past year.
All treatments will be performed dental staff at each school and students from NSU\'s North Miami Beach Dental Clinic.

Fluoridated Miami

Friday, January 08, 2010

Australia - Kids' tooth decay epidemic forces parents to pay thousands

Kids' tooth decay epidemic forces parents to pay thousands
By Kate Sikora and Neil Keene
Toddlers' teeth rotten before pre-school
Half of kids have untreated tooth decay
'It would be called an epidemic'
TODDLERS as young as 18 months are being forced to undergo thousands of dollars worth of dental work as tooth decay reaches "epidemic" proportions.
Dental experts said yesterday parents were spending up to $5000 on crowns for children whose teeth are deteriorating before they even hit preschool.
Australian Dental Association Oral Health Committee chairwoman Dr Philippa Sawyer said almost half of Australian children under four suffered untreated tooth decay.
"If that many children had some other sort of disease, and remember that tooth decay is a disease, then it would be called an epidemic," she said.
Dr Sawyer cited a recent Australian study which found 48 per cent of children suffered from untreated tooth decay, but only 10 per cent had seen a dentist.
ADA president Dr Neil Hewsen said the spread of sugary, acidic drinks and snacks aimed at children was largely to blame.
"Over the last 20 years or so the decay rate among children has been dropping but now we've had this blip upwards," he said.
A NSW Health spokeswoman said decay could begin before a child's first birthday.
"The issue is largely related to early feeding patterns and often the prolonged and extensive use of nursing bottles containing sugary drinks," she said.
Dr Hewsen said the situation had become so dire that shock advertising campaigns like those about smoking and skin cancer were needed to hammer the message home.
"We try to get through these prevention messages and for some people it works but for a lot of people it doesn't," he said.
NSW Health figures show by age five almost 40 per cent of children have untreated decay, while more than 30 per cent aged five to eight do not visit a dentist regularly.
Children start losing their first set of teeth from about the age of six, but Dr Hewsen said those baby teeth were critically important for long-term dental health.
Children who live in communities without fluoride in their tap water, Aboriginal children and children from lower socio-economic areas are much more likely to show early signs of decay, according to NSW Health.
"But 80 per cent of the decay is in 20 per cent of the children," Dr Sawyer said.
Newcastle mum Alison Lewis said she had learnt about the issue after a dental hygienist visited her daughter Stella's preschool.
"She came home telling us all how to brush our teeth properly," Ms Lewis said.
A recent dental check confirmed that Stella, 4, was clear of any signs of decay.
"Fifty per cent of children don't have tooth decay, so it's totally achievable for the other half not to either," Dr Sawyer said.

In Australia where 75% of the water supplies are fluoridated, "Half of kids have untreated tooth decay:NYSCOF

Thursday, January 07, 2010

Fluoride in Childrens Milk P4



Never seen this before - scary if true?

USA - Dentists’ Charity: No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

Dentists’ Charity: No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
January 5th, 2010 | Jim Du Molin
As we've been talking about dentists and health reform, I'm struck by how many dental practices donate dental care to patients in need. As one dentist pointed out:
"Individually donating our services is commendable, but so inefficient, like putting a bandage on a systemic disease. The welfare health system is just a part of the overall health care system that needs an ...................................

nyscof Says:
January 6th, 2010 at 4:13 am
Dentists who give back to the community by giving care to those with the most need and least ability to afford dentistry are highly commendable. But it isn’t enough.

Dentists who show up at the Remote Access Missions of Mercy see and treat patients whose dental health resembles that of third world countries and are extra special people because their participation didn’t come attached to a news release.

However, if organized dentistry didn’t help create laws that disallow dentists from working in other than their home states, more dentists would show up.

While some individual dentists do the right thing, their dental union does all it can to help them keep their lucrative monopoly at all costs (whether they asked them to or not)by lobbying against any groups willing and able to fill he dental void and by lobbying for laws that benefit only dentists.

We have 130 million Americans without dental insurance and over 80% of dentists who won’t accept Medicaid. (I understand that giving free dentistry works better for many dentists) The charity work is welcomed and applauded but it’s a drop in the bucket.

Unless the individual dentists tell their union, the American Dental Association, to stop lobbying against Dental Therapists, denturists and solo-practicing hygienists, I’m afraid individual dentists will take the heat when a comment box opens up. After all, they are the ADA.

The ADA makes a big to-do about the once a year Give Kids A Smile Day. This generates a lot of income-producing positive press for dentists across the nation who are given ready-made “fill-in-the-blanks” news releases to hand to the media. And it’s “free” publicity for toothpaste manufacturers who sponsor these events. But most of these events are filled with balloons, free give aways, lots of media, coloring books but no actual dental care.

Although slated to begin in February, toady, I read two news stories about it already giving free publicity to two New Jersey dental practices – only one of which will do emergency dental care.

In the last ten years, the number of children with untreated tooth decay has gone up even though fluoridation, dental sealants and fluoride varnish has incresed – mostly due to lobbying by dentists and organized dentistry.

Their individual and collective efforts aren’t paying off and ticking off a lot of people.

And let’s face it, that “Give Kids A Smile” Day is really a big fat publicity stunt used to sell more product and get more recognition than actually filling the needs of Americans who lack dental care.

My point is that individual dentists are part of the problem when they don’t tell their union to back off their lobbying efforts against viable dental professionals from working directly on patients and from making laws that keep dental care unaffordable and unattainable for too many.

I wonder who sent the news release to the newspaper to get free publicity that generaged the article and the critical comment. Most Americans don’t get any news articles written about them and their charity work.

We just plod along and get called all sorts of nasty names by people in the dental profession.

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Dr Neil Carman Fluoride is Toxic Waste,Melts Glass

Ontario Dental Association President Dr. Ira Kirshen In Thunder Bay 20-Jul-09.VOB

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

Part two of a series on Hypothyroidism

Part two of a series on Hypothyroidism
Do you have an Underactive Thyroid?
January 4, 2010 · Published By Paula Owens
Thyroid imbalances are caused by a variety of factors including: Environmental toxins from pollutants, fluoride in toothpaste and water, Chlorine, industrial chemicals, PCBs, environmental toxins, radiation exposure and mercury from silver amalgam dental fillings; Certain medications including Prednisone, Anti-histamines, Birth control pills and estrogen replacement therapy can lead to estrogen dominance which inhibits the thyroid; Excessive stress (mental, emotional, environmental, physical, psychological); Yeast infections (Candidiasis); Excessive cardio exercise; Menopause and Andropause; Dietary deficiencies or excesses; Synthetic and genetically engineered hormones in meat, dairy, poultry and eggs; Excessive dieting; Soy (processed and unfermented) and Vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Iodine deficiency. Iodine deficiency is proving to be a risk not only for low thyroid hormone levels, but also for fibrocystic breast disease and breast cancer............

Australia - Fluoride levels anger campaigners

Fluoride levels anger campaigners
Zane Jackson | 5th January 2010
IPSWICH’S drinking water has reached its full dose of fluoride.
Results obtained by The Queensland Times show the Mt Crosby water treatment plant has recorded 0.76mg/L of the chemical, placing the city’s supply within Queensland Health’s required concentration. The news has angered anti-fluoride campaigners.
Queenslanders Against Water Fluoridation spokeswoman Merilyn Haines said the chemical was a poison that damaged teeth and caused other serious health problems.
“This is a program of unethical mass medication which was forced upon us all,” she said.
“There is a mountain of evidence out there that shows it can cause a range of health problems and because of its nature it accumulates in the body.”
But Australian Dental Association Queensland past president and spokesman Greg Moore said fluoride would make a significant improvement to Ipswich residents’ teeth.
“The most dangerous level of fluoride in the water is zero – fluoride is vitally important for dental health,” he said.
“In five years time when the babies who have been drinking fluoridated water now grow teeth, they will have significantly better dental health than those not exposed to fluoride.”
Media reports yesterday suggested Seqwater had under-dosed the chemical into water supplies.
A spokesman for Seqwater said fluoride levels had been low during some parts of 2009, but only because they did not want to rush its introduction.
“Seqwater deliberately took a conservative approach to the introduction of fluoride into the region’s water supplies – starting at lower levels and gradually building over the bedding down period,” the spokesman said.
“Most importantly each quarter since starting operation Mt Crosby has consistently delivered above the 0.4mg/L deemed by Queensland Health to deliver a health benefit.”
An increase in capacity of dosing plants meant levels jumped from an average of 0.44mg/L in the quarter up to June 2009 to the current average.
Fluoridation of Queensland’s water supply was controversially introduced by the State Government in 2008, with the chemical first entering Ipswich’s water in December of that year.
Queensland Health’s Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said the program would eventually reduce public hospital dental waiting lists.
“Fluoridation will address what has been an epidemic of tooth decay in Queensland, one of the most expensive challenges in our public health system,” she said.

USA - Your Tap Water Is Legal But May Be Unhealthy

Your Tap Water Is Legal But May Be Unhealthy
Posted by: Dr. Mercola
January 05 2010
The 35-year-old U.S. federal law regulating tap water is so out of date that the water Americans drink can pose what scientists say are serious health risks, even if it meets all legal standards.

Only 91 contaminants are regulated by the Safe Drinking Water Act, yet more than 60,000 chemicals are used within the United States. Government and independent scientists have scrutinized thousands of those chemicals in recent decades, and identified hundreds associated with a risk of cancer and other diseases at small concentrations in drinking water. But not one chemical has been added to the list of those regulated by the Safe Drinking Water Act since 2000.

Recent studies have also found that even some chemicals regulated by that law pose risks at much smaller concentrations than previously known. However, many of the act’s standards for those chemicals have not been updated since the 1980’s, and some remain essentially unchanged since the law was passed in 1974.

Monday, January 04, 2010

UK - NHS gives dentists a reason to smile

1:50pm Sunday 3rd January 2010
NHS Warrington is providing dentists with fluoride varnish to apply to the teeth of all children attending a treatment.
Fluoride varnish helps prevent dental decay and its use is recommended by the Department of Health.
Evidence suggests that it can reduce decay by 30 to 40 per cent in the child population when used regularly. Kerry Davis, acting primary care lead for NHS Warrington, said: “Our dentists have responded positively to using fluoride varnish.
“Within 12 months of the scheme starting, high street dentists working in Warrington are using fluoride varnish twice as often as dentists in the north west and five times more frequently than the average dentist in England.”
As part of its Dental Commissioning Strategy, NHS Warrington has provided 21 high street dental practices with the varnish and will continue to do so in 2010.

If they are as careless as the dentist who applied it to my son's teeth it will give them a good reason to be sick as well as get fluorosis.

Scotland - 80,000 still without NHS dentist as bid to cut waiting list grinds to halt

80,000 still without NHS dentist as bid to cut waiting list grinds to halt
Date: 04 January 2010
By LYNDSAY MOSS HEALTH REPORTER
THE number of Scots stuck on waiting lists for access to an NHS dentist has reached a near-standstill, figures obtained by The Scotsman have revealed.

Almost 80,000 Scots are still waiting to be registered on practices' books, prompting calls for the Scottish Government to reassess basic care provision.

Overall, across Scotland, boards revealed that 79,375 people were on waiting lists for an NHS dentist – down only slightly on 82,166 the same time the previous year – and, in some large rural areas, numbers grew. NHS Grampian said it had 31,798 people on its list compared to 30,936 the year before and, in the Borders, the figure was 7,500, up from 6,000 the previous year............

USA - Around Livingston for Jan. 4, 2010

Walker to discuss fluoride
The town of Walker is holding three public meetings next week to present the benefits of adding fluoride to the town’s water supply.
Town officials, along with representatives from the state Department of Health and Hospitals’ Oral Health Program, will explain why they think fluoridation is a safe, efficient and cost-effective way to prevent tooth decay for all ages.
The meetings will be held at 7 p.m. Jan. 11 and at 6 p.m. on both Jan. 12 and Jan. 13All meetings will be in the Walker Municipal Building, 10136 Florida Blvd., Walker.


Bit one sided.

Saturday, January 02, 2010

Are you a Zombie? I know a few....

India - Fluoride content info missing on toothpastes: CERC

Express News Service
The CHILDREN may have gulped fluoridated lather from their toothpastes several times. But before their teeth get used to the flavour of the toothpaste, it is likely that fluoride in toothpastes could pose a problem.
A survey conducted by an Ahmedabad-based consumer organisation has found that most products of a leading toothpaste manufacturer in India do not show the exact content of fluoride.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has placed an upper limit of 1,000-ppm fluoride. The the Consumer Education and Research Centre (CERC), which has found higher concentration of fluoride in toothpastes, has suggested bringing down the specified limit to 500 ppm.
CERC Trustee C J Sishoo said, “Low fluoride concentrations 0.3-0.4 parts per million (ppm) in toothpastes is important for dental enamel in children. At higher concentrations (more than 1.5 ppm), fluoride can pose a serious health hazard.”
India is one of the 23 countries with excessive fluoride presence in drinking water and food. In Gujarat, population in 18 districts is threatened by high fluoride content, said CERC officials.
Shishoo added that skeletal fluorosis has crippled a large population in Assam, Jharkhand, Bihar and Orissa.
Based on the survey, (CERC), Ahmedabad has recently written to the authorities to give choice for fluoridated and non-fluoridated toothpastes for customers.

Friday, January 01, 2010