No fluoride benefit

The article on dental health which appeared on April 21, submitted by the Alberta Dental Association and College (ADA) was misleading on the matters of safety and effectiveness of water fluoridation (“Use fluoride to prevent cavities”).

Science is not a popularity contest, but the number of supporting organizations has diminished in recent years and there are the many unmentioned organizations that oppose fluoridation.

The high prevalence of cavities in Canada and the United States exists in areas with fluoridation as well as those without. And often it is higher where the water is fluoridated — for example higher in Ontario than in Quebec and British Columbia. According to Statistics Canada, in 2010 there were no substantial differences in prevalences between Quebec (6.4 per cent fluoridated) and Ontario (76 per cent).

There has been no credible published study showing that fluoridation is safe. In fact, many competently done studies have revealed adverse effects to be associated with fluoridation. Some of these effects are more certainly due to fluoride exposure than others. The more certain ones include hypothyroidism, early onset of menstruation, dental fluorosis, hip fracture and depressed cognitive functions in children. Two convincing reports have appeared this year on associations of fluoridation with hypothyroidism and with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Perhaps because fluoridation has been assumed to be safe and effective for so long, very little research on these questions has been done in countries where fluoridation is extensive even though effects have been identified and little or no evidence of effectiveness exists. In fact, few nations have fluoridation. European nations stopped it in the 1970s for three reasons, according to statements obtained from officials in those countries. The reasons were that it is not ethical, not safe and not effective. In Canada and the United States there have been steady declines in the numbers of fluoridated cities and towns.

The Health Canada has admitted that it can’t find the research to justify its promotion of fluoridation.

The CDA neglects to mention that hydrofluorosilicic acid, which is used to introduce fluoride ion into the body, is a drug as applied in fluoridation, and it is not approved for such use. Also unmentioned is that fluoride is not a nutrient for humans, as often claimed by promoters. It is administered without consent of the people dosed and without control of dose and even without knowledge of its being administered.

Other measures such as good diet, accessible dental care and brushing and flossing, in contrast to fluoridation, are known to be effective.

Dr. James S. Beck

Calgary