British Dental Journal - Fluoridation and hypothyroidism – a commentary on Peckham et al.

Fluoridation and hypothyroidism – a commentary on Peckham et al.

M. Foley¹

1. Brisbane Dental Hospital, Queensland Health, 68 Turbot St, Brisbane, Queensland 4000, Australia

Correspondence to: M. Foley¹ e-mail: m.foley@uq.edu.au

• Highlights that correlation is not causation.
• Suggests that public health policy must be based on the highest quality scientific evidence.
• Recommends that governments and health professionals can remain assured that the safety of water fluoridation is not in question.

........................Peckham et al. fail to understand the limitations of a poorly conducted ecological trial, and the paper contains serious biases and flaws. Literature reviews have been highly selective and critical analysis of that literature has been poor. The authors show a disturbing tendency to focus on a small number of poor quality studies that reinforce their own views, while ignoring contradictory evidence from much stronger studies and reviews. Peckham et al. should have heeded the adage 'correlation is not causation' before coming to a conclusion at odds with a large body of reputable evidence from around the world. In my opinion, the paper's conclusions can and should be dismissed.

Michael Foley


Director, Brisbane Dental Hospital

Brisbane Area, Australia

Hospital & Health Care



Current
Queensland Health

Education

University of Queensland School of Dentistry

Dr Michael Foley, spokesman for the Australian Dental Association, said there was a perception that fluoride caused cancer and made bones brittle; however what many people did not know was that all water contained some level of fluoride.

His comments come after 55% of the more than 300 people who voted in The Morning Bulletin's online poll called for fluoride to be reintroduced into the region's water supply.

Dosing of fluoride was removed from Rockhampton and Mt Morgan's water supply in July last year.

Dr Foley said the anti-fluoride beliefs were ludicrous and insulting to health professionals and scientific bodies.

The World Health Organization, The Australian Medical Association and The Australian Dental Association all back water fluoridation.

Dr Foley said they would not support it if they thought it caused health problems.

He said there was no "conspiracy theory" to set out and poison residents.

As fluoride was used as a thyroid treatment it must have an affect now if swallowed.