After reviewing all available fluoridation studies, the independent and trusted UK-based Cochrane group of researchers could not find any quality evidence to prove fluoridation changes the “existing differences in tooth decay across socioeconomic groups.” Neither could they find valid evidence that fluoride reduces adults’ cavity rates nor that fluoridation cessation increases tooth decay, reports the New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc. (NYSCOF).
Fluoridation may reduce cavities in children (2 primary teeth or 1 permanent tooth). But Cochrane cautions these studies have “high risk of bias” and were mostly done before preventive measures were widespread, e.g. fluoridated toothpaste and sealants.
Diverting attention away from Cochrane, the Centers for Disease Control, which indirectly funded the Cochrane Review, and the American Dental Association defended fluoridation recommending instead the 2013 U.S. Community Preventive Services Task Force’s Fluoridation Recommendation.
But the Task Force also admitted it couldn’t evaluate how race, ethnicity and total fluoride intake influenced fluoridation effectiveness because of limited data. “Few studies provided data on socioeconomic status, and most studies had measurement issues; many didn’t blind examiners and there was a lack of consistency among indices used to measure caries.”
Unlike the ADA and CDC Foundation, the Cochrane Group is “unconstrained by commercial and financial interests.” Cochrane answered its critics here.
“We wonder if the ADA and CDC are protecting its funders and political viability instead of the American public,” says attorney Paul Beeber, NYSCOF President.
Newsweek reports that scientists, who were assigned to review fluoridation research, are shocked at the lack of valid fluoridation-supporting evidence. Government agencies have a long history of minimizing reviews critical of fluoridation science.
Dentist Bill Osmunson weighs in on how fluoridation research can and should be done here.
Fluoride supplements, first recommended based on the theory that fluoridation prevents tooth decay, unsurprisingly, also are mostly ineffective. In 2011, Cochrane “rated 10 trials as being at unclear risk of bias and one at high risk of bias, and therefore the trials provide weak evidence about the efficacy of fluoride supplements.”
“Americans need to get special interest groups out of decisions made by public water suppliers and demand that fluoridation stop in their cities,” says Beeber.
Here’s how: http://www.FluorideAction.Net/take-action
Contact: Paul Beeber, JD 516-433-8882 nyscof@aol.com
Or:
Paul Connett, PhD, Executive Director, Fluoride Action Network 607-217-5350
http://www.FluorideAction.Net
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