The Fluoride Action Network has sponsored four Citizen’s Conferences on Fluoride in 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2010. The purpose of the first three conferences was to give citizens the opportunity to hear from the best scientists on the issue. The fourth conference was a geared to activists on the issue. FAN plans on holding the 5th Citizens Conference in the summer of 2013. Here’s some info about each of the past conferences:
The 1st Citizens’ Conference on Fluoride
- Co-sponsored with the Haudenosaunee Environmental Task Force (Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, Tuscarora)
- July 30 to August 3, 2004 – held on the campus of St. Lawrence University, Canton NY
- Health dangers of fluoride to be conference topic, Watertown Daily Times, June 28, 2004
- Experts at meeting say fluoride is detrimental to health, Watertown Daily Times, August 1, 2004
The 2nd Citizens’ Conference on Fluoride
- July 28-30, 2006 -held on the campus of St. Lawrence University, Canton NY
- Fluoride Risks Are Still A Challenge. Conference debates water fluoridation, sulfuryl fluoride, and problems with EPA limits. By Bette Hilman, C&EN, Sept 4, 2006, 84:36(34-37). (Publication of the American Chemical Society)
- Co-sponsored with Toronto-based Citizens for a Safe Environment
- August 10-11, 2008 – held on the campus of the University of Toronto (Mississauga campus)
- Experts disagree on fluoride in drinking water, CTV (Canadian Television) | August 7th, 2008
- Dental experts defend fluoride in water; activists claim link to brain damage, The Canadian Press | August 8th, 2008
- As the title, Organizing to Win: What Works? What Doesn’t?, suggests, the focus of this conference was geared to activists, networking and organizing to win. Presentations were made by those in the heat of the battle (such as Ontario, Canada, Louisiana, Washington state, California, and Texas), those who have defeated proposals and helped convince fluoridating cities to end the practice (Quebec, Canada), and many others. Bill Osmunson DDS, MPH, gave the keynote address.