Cochrane Review provides little convincing evidence of fluoridation benefits
This Cochrane review is the third major scientific blow against fluoridation in 2015 and we are only half way through the year. See a summary of it below in a statement released yesterday to the press in New Zealand by Dr. Stan Litras, director of FIND (Fluoride Information Network for Dentists). It is also online here.
2015 is proving an exceptionally bad year for those who promote fluoridation claiming that it is “safe and effective.” It is neither, as these three events have revealed.
- First we had the paper from Stephen Peckham (University of Kent) on a relationship between fluoridation and lowered thyroid function in the UK.
- Second we had the paper published in the journal Environmental Health that found an association in US between fluoridation status by US state and the prevalence of ADHD using data on ADHD prevalence among 4-17 year olds collected in 2003, 2007 and 2011 as part of the National Survey of Children’s Health, as well as fluoridation data from the CDC.
- And now we have this Cochrane review on effectiveness which underlines once again that when the issue is examined scientifically the evidence for the much-touted benefits are lukewarm at best.
Unfortunately, this science will go over the heads of many members of the public, so it is fortunate that the crumbling case for fluoridation has been buttressed by two excellent articles in Newsweek (ADHD / Thyroid) and two TV programs.
- The 45-minute public TV debate from NJ where FAN director Paul Connett squared off against Dr. Ritchie Kahn, past president of the NJ Dental association.
- John Stossel’s show on Fox TV to be broadcast on Fox Business news at 8 pm EST TONIGHT (Friday). In a short (less than 10-minutes) segment Paul Connett takes on another NJ dentist. In the short time available Paul was not able to combat all the false claims made by the dentist, but probably enough to shock host John Stossel and many of his loyal viewers. If you can’t view it live tonight, you will be able to watch it this weekend on his show’s homepage. Please also share your views on fluoridation and on tonight’s show with John Stossel on his Twitter and Facebook pages throughout the weekend and into next week.
Fluoride Awareness Week
The Fluoride Action Network has teamed up with Dr. Joseph Mercola and Mercola.com to bring you another Fluoride Awareness Week. This entire week, from June 14-21, Dr. Mercola has, and will continue to publish articles and videos dedicated to educating citizens about the risks associated with fluoride and the need for ending the practice worldwide.
Dr. Mercola kicked off Awareness week with a new 20-minute interview featuring FAN’s Director, Paul Connett. He also shared our new video of FAN’s Special Projects Manager and attorney, Michael Connett, presenting the mounting evidence that fluoride reduces IQ.
Dr. Mercola has been publishing articles throughout the week, and will continue to do so this weekend on his website and social media sites, including:
–New Evidence of Harm From Fluoridation
–Video Debate Illuminates Successful Rebuttals of Claims Made by Fluoride Proponents
Mercola.com has also produced two infographics that can be shared on social media, embedded on your website or blog, or downloaded and passed out as a fliers:
• 6 Facts About Fluoridation You Need to Know
• How to Avoid Fluoride Exposure
For the fourth year in a row, Dr. Mercola will match the funds his supporters give to FAN. To this end, Mercola has launched a promotional deal for his online store. He will donate up to $25,000 in profits from the sales from his store during Awareness week.
We are proud of Dr. Mercola’s trust and support for FAN, and are greatly appreciative of his generous contributions to our campaign. Please check out all of these great articles, videos, and interviews, and please share them on your social media and with friends via email. If we put these resources to use, thousands of citizens around the world will get some great education on fluoridation.
*It would appear that the ADA is trying to coopt those trying to reach Dr. Mercola’s Fluoride Awareness Week, with an invented “Fluoride Awareness Week” of their own. They have taken out online ads on Google linking to their own “Fluoride Awareness Week,” but the link they provide gives their usual propaganda with no indication of any week of bulletins or other activities. This seems to be a repeat of its unethical (by internet standards) purchasing of websites around FluorideAlert.org (i.e. FluorideAlert.net and FluorideAlert.com) so those who make a mistake with our address get sucked into the ADA’s website! So ADA is maintaining its willingness to trick concerned citizens into going to their site, a practice they have continued since 2000!
You can now download the audio from June’s International Fluoride Free Teleconference. The call, entitled “Winning the War of Words,” featured a discussion on several new important documents, including the letter sent to the Institute of Medicine/National Academy of Sciences and the Food and Nutrition board by environmental activist Erin Brockovich along with several other medical, legal, and scientific professionals. Hear directly from the authors and signers of these documents. To learn more about he call and to download the audio please click on the following link:
LISTEN TO JUNE’S TELECONFERENCE AUDIO
You can also download the teleconference from May featuring a discussion on the new “optimal fluoride level” recommended by the US Department of Health and Human Services. FAN’s own Paul Connett, PhD (Director), Ellen Connett (Manager), and Stuart Cooper (Campaign Manager) explained the history of the recommended “optimal level,” the final assessment, what was missing from the report, major questions raised, and how we can use this in our local and statewide campaigns:
LISTEN TO MAY’S TELECONFERENCE AUDIO
Gold Standard Fluoride Review Contradicts NZ Advice
A new review just released by the Cochrane Collaboration, internationally acknowledged as the gold standard in evidenced based reviews of health science, confirms doubts over the benefits of fluoridating water supplies in modern developed countries like New Zealand.
The Cochrane Review finds the science does not support claims that water fluoridation is of any benefit to adults, nor that it reduces social inequalities, nor that it provides additional benefits over and above topically applied fluoride (such as in toothpaste), nor that tooth decay increases in communities when fluoridation is stopped.
These are all arguments used by our NZ health department in promoting the procedure.
The review is not convinced that studies showing that water fluoridation reduces decay in children are applicable to today’s society either, as nearly all the studies used in calculations (dating back to the 1940’s) were conducted prior to the availability of fluoride toothpaste and other sources of fluoride which we have today, and were at high risk of bias.
These findings are completely at odds with last year’s (NZ) Royal Society review, which our government refers to as justification for promoting fluoridation.
The Cochrane Review was not charged with investigating the health risks of water fluoridation, other than the harmful effects on teeth.
Here it found that 40% of children in fluoridated areas have dental fluorosis, developmental damage to the tooth structure caused by fluoride overdose.
Fluoride has been shown to effect brain development and thyroid function in low doses, and was classified as an endocrine disruptor by the landmark review on health effects of fluoride by the top scientific body in the U.S., the National Research Council (published in 2006).
It is of concern that while fluoridation promoters proclaim the science is settled, and base their policies on unreliable studies, the properly conducted gold standard systematic reviews stress the need for better research to be done.
The Cochrane Review findings support statements previously made by FIND, an independent dentist group looking at fluoridation in New Zealand, and reinforce their call for a national moratorium on water fluoridation, and an independent investigation into the policy in this country.
“It’s important to consider what the implications could be of a health department allowing such a policy to continue when it is not backed by the weight of scientific evidence” says FIND spokesman, Dr.Stan Litras.
–Have You Been Consuming Too Much Fluoride (USA)
–Park Hills Decision on Fluoridating Drinking Water Still Up in the Air (Missouri)
–Clarksburg Water Fluoridation Likely to Continue with Election (West Virginia)
–Limeback: Parry Sound Council Should Learn About Fluoridation (Ontario)
–Litzman Seeks to Return Fluoride To Israeli Drinking Water (Israel)
–Hamilton: Fluoride-Free Water an Option (New Zealand)
–Health Board Calls to Fluoridate Marlborough’s Water (New Zealand)
–Pioneering Childsmile Programme Also Saving Millions for Public (Scotland)
–Ethiopians Seek Solution for Water with Fluoride (Ethiopia)
For more fluoride related media, please visit FAN’s News Archive.
Sincerely,
Stuart Cooper
Campaign Manager,
Fluoride Action Network
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