Despite decades of water fluoridation in New York State, the Journal of the American Dental Association reports that emergency treatment for NYS toddlers’ severe tooth decay has grown substantially in numbers and costs, many require general anesthesia, (1) reports the New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc. (NYSCOF)

Fluoridation is touted as an effective cavity preventive that will save money. But this study and others proves it’s doing neither.

In 72% fluoridated NYS, 25,622 children, under six-years-old, made cavity-related emergency dental visits from 2004 though 2008. Visits grew from 4,361 in 2004 to 5,683 in 2008. Seventy-five percent required general anesthesia, up from 35% in 2004. Total costs: $121 Million ($18.5 million in 2004 increased to $31.3 million in 2008), most borne by taxpayers.

“There is a limited number of dentists willing to treat patients younger than 6 and/or accept Medicaid,” write the NYS researchers.

More Statistics Show Fluoridation Fails New York State

NYS Department of Health Statistics reveal that, even when water is fluoridated, cavity-rates are extremely high in low-income third-graders. (2) For example:

• 85% of low-income third graders have tooth decay in Wayne County (74% fluoridated)
• 83% in Ontario County (61% fluoridated)
• 82% in Cayuga County (not fluoridated)
• 82% in Allegheny County (14% fluoridated)
• 81% in Livingston County (55% fluoridated)
• 67% in Schuyler County (not fluoridated)
• 58% in Nassau County (not fluoridated)

Fluoridation not only fails New York State but nationally children, the elderly and poor lack dental care. The General Accounting Office estimates that 6.5 million children aged 2 through 18 in Medicaid had untreated tooth decay in 2005. (3)

Oral health complications may be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.

Annually, 164 million work hours and 51 million school hours are lost due to dental problems, according to the Institute of Medicine. (4) Also, a 2008 study of the armed forces reveals 52% of new recruits had oral health problems needing urgent attention, reports the Pew Charitable Trusts.

“The American economy is hurt by dentists’ refusal to treat low-income Americans and by organized dentistry’s lobbying to outlaw cheaper dental care by viable dental professionals, such as dental therapists,” says attorney Paul Beeber, NYSCOF President. “Fluoridation is a false concept that must be abandoned.”

Past Studies Show that when fluoridation ceases so do cavities (5)

• Cavity rates decreased six years after fluoridation was stopped in Kuopio, Finland.
• Seven years after fluoridation ended in LaSalud, Cuba, cavity-free children increased dramatically.
• Following the cessation of water fluoridation in the East German cities, Chemnitz and Plauen, a significant fall in caries prevalence was observed.
• After fluoridation ended in the East German cities, Spremberg and Zittau, cavities in 12-year-olds significantly decreased
• During an 11-month fluoridation break in Durham, NC, cavity rates remained stable but dental fluorosis declined in children born during that period.
• In British Columbia, Canada, “the prevalence of caries decreased over time in the fluoridation-ended community while remaining unchanged in the fluoridated community.”
• In 1973, the Dutch town of Tiel stopped fluoridation. Decayed, missing and filled surfaces dipped in 15-year-olds. Never-fluoridated Culemborg’s 15-year-olds had 72% less cavities over the same period.

Beeber says, “The multi-billion dollar Pew Charitable Trust continues to waste its resources promoting fluoridation in Iowa, Arkansas, Austin and elsewhere with misinformation. However, we agree with their findings that ‘Support for CWF (Community Water Fluoridation) is soft, especially among the following groups…Those who report being more knowledgeable of Community Water fluoridation.'”

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