Below we have reprinted a press release written by Carol Kopf, who is the media officer for both the New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc. (NYSCOF) and the Fluoride Action Network (FAN). This gives us a chance to tell you a little more about this amazing woman. She has been working to end fluoridation for over 30 years, and helped NYSCOF end water fluoridation in Long island, New York. Without fluoridation, the children in non-fluoridated Nassau County (Levittown’s County) have slightly better teeth than the average for NY State, which is 71.4% fluoridated.
Carol Kopf is in fact one of a trio of heros that have been fighting fluoridation so successfully in NY state for many years: those three musketeers are Carol, Paul Beeber and Eleanor K. Perhaps NYSCOF’s greatest achievement–of many–was the enacting of a “home rule” provision in state law which prevents the state from forcing fluoridation on a community without their approval. Carol acknowledges Eleanor as her mentor and “the chief organizer and button pusher.” Ellen reminds me that in 1996 when she was looking for information on fluoridation it was Eleanor who provided her with the key scientific studies, which she then passed on to me.
All of Carol’s work for NYSCOF and FAN is pro bono. Both organizations are truly blessed with her knowledge and energy. She keeps a very close eye on the dental literature and an even closer one on the machinations of the dental lobby. The press release below summarizes some of the recent evidence that the science that supposedly supports the benefits of fluoridation is very weak. I would add that after 70 years of enthusiastic support for this practice from government agencies and professional bodies, not one single researcher has ever produced a randomized control study (RCT) which demonstrates that swallowing fluoride reduces tooth decay. Not one! And this is the gold standard for human epidemiology.
Before we get to Carol’s latest press release here is an update on our fundraiser. As of 8 am this morning we have received $126,695 from 511 donors. That is an extraordinary leap; at this time yesterday we had only $120,205 from 442 donors. There were two reasons for this: 1) more and more donors are including family members in their pledge (adding their first names on the first name line) and this is appropriate because many of us – including myself – would not be able to do this without the support of our partners and children and 2) we received a pledge of $4,000 from a super-angel at the 500 milestone. He is giving another $2,000 each time we reach another 100 donor milestone (600, 700 etc.) up to 1000.
We have just 4 days left to reach $150,000 from 1000 donors. We have never reached either goal before but we can do the “impossible” if we acknowledge our family support (if you would like to do this retroactively please send me a list of names and I will add them to the total).
The 500th donor was Melva Lacher from Minneapolis and she will be receiving a free copy of The Case Against Fluoride signed by me. The 600th, 700th etc. donors will receive the same.
Our doubling of donations by a generous super angel will expire when we reach $127,000 so we are looking for another super-angel to keep this going. Any volunteers to donate $500, $1000 or more to do this? It really helps when people know that whatever they donate will be doubled. Please email me at pconnett@gmail.com if you would like to issue a doubling pledge for a specified amount. If we get more than one we will string them out.
- Donate online using our secure server. If you should experience difficulty in donating at our secure server, please call Network For Good at 1-888-284-7978 and press option 3 to make your donation over the phone.
- Or by check – please make checks payable to Fluoride Action Network and send to: FAN, c/o Connett, 104 Walnut Street, Binghamton NY 13905
PREMIUMS: See the exciting premiums we have available (with photos!) here.
Paul Connett, PhD
Member of FAN 2016 Fundraising Team
More Researchers Acknowledge Fluoridation’s
Lack of Effectiveness Data
“Fluoridated water [does] not seem, based on the existing literature, to hold sufficient evidence for the reduction of dental caries,” report Italian researchers in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry (December 2016), reports the New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc. (NYSCOF)
Sicca, et al. analyzed thirty systematic reviews on tooth decay prevention, from 2002 – 2015, and report “there is not sufficient evidence to determine whether the use [of] water fluoridation has a significant impact in the reduction of caries.” Other scientists concur. Swedish researchers, in PLOS one, February 2015, reported a “systematic review concerned the caries-preventive effect of water fluoridation [MdDonagh]… was graded as low.”
In July 2012, Cagetti, et al. reported “Studies of the effectiveness of water fluoridation have been based on observational study designs… these studies are regarded as low in quality and the weight of the evidence derived from cross-sectional and observational studies can be questionable”
Fluoridation’s foundation is based on human experimental studies which began in 1945. Errors and omissions in those studies were pointed out, but ignored, as early as 1959 by dental researcher Phillip Sutton and others.
In 2011 the West Virginia University Rural Health Research Center reported “…it was found that fluoridation rates were not significantly related to the measures of either caries or overall condition of the teeth for urban or rural areas.”
In 2015, the independent and trusted UK-based Cochrane group of researchers could not find any quality evidence that proves fluoridation changes the “existing differences in tooth decay across socioeconomic groups.” or that fluoridation cessation increases decay rates.
NYSCOF President, attorney Paul Beeber says, “Fluoridation is one the biggest public health blunders of modern times, a political boondoggle, not supported by science. It must stop.”
In 2009, attempting to prove that fluorosed teeth are less decayed, Kumar reveals 1986-1987 National Institute of Dental Research (NIDR) data which, upon analysis, shows similar cavity rates in permanent teeth whether the water is fluoridated or not (Table 1). Chart depicts data.
- More ineffectiveness evidence here.
A December 2016 Health Affairs article claims fluoridation may save money but it’s based on “an assumption of Community Water Fluoridation Programs effectiveness in reducing caries,” the researchers write. It’s not proof of effectiveness as some have claimed.
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