The American Academy of Pediatrics’ response to the recent fluoride verdict quotes pediatrician Dr. Charlotte Lewis, who stated:

“There is nothing about the current decision that changes my confidence in the safety of optimally fluoridated water in the U.S.”

We deposed Dr. Lewis, a member of the AAP Section on Oral Health, at length in the fluoride lawsuit. She testified that she would not withdraw her support of fluoridation even if the evidence convinced her that it’s reducing IQ by five points in 5 to 10 percent of the population, and that it would be an “appropriate trade-off”.

Q. At this point in time, you are not prepared to say that you would withdraw your support of water fluoridation even if the evidence convinced you that it’s reducing the IQ by five points in 5 to 10 percent of the population? You still would support water fluoridation at that time?

A. Well, again, because that’s not the scope of what I was asked to look at, it’s difficult for me to answer the question, but there are circumstances where I can imagine that that would be an appropriate trade-off.

Q. Okay. You’re saying there are circumstances where I can imagine. I’m asking you based on those facts I’ve given you, would you or would you not withdraw your support for water fluoridation?

A. I would not withdraw my support of community water fluoridation.

We strongly disagree with Dr. Lewis that shedding IQ points is a fair trade off for the practice of water fluoridation.

FAN will be sharing more deposition videos of Dr. Lewis. Stay tuned!