Fluoridation fails as America's cavity crisis escalates

Jan 25 2014

Today is the 69^th birthday of water fluoridation – the top public health blunder of all time, reports the New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc. (NYSCOF)

Instead of spreading less tooth decay across the land, fluoridation spread dental fluorosis (fluoride-discolored teeth) into every nook and cranny of America.  Even though the CDC reports up to 60% of adolescents are afflicted with dental fluorosis, 51% of them have cavities.

Opposite to predictions, since fluoridation began in 1945:

1. Tooth decay crises occur in all fluoridated cities. 
2. New dental professionals were created, e.g. dental therapists.
3. New dental schools opened.
4. Dental expenditures have gone up substantially, higher than the inflation rate. 
5. Poor children's cavities are more prevalent, severe, occur earlier and more likely to be untreated.
6. Despite dental spending growth, 42% percent of adults and 4 million children with dental problems could not afford dental care.

US Senator Bernie Sanders, in his 2012 report, "Dental Crisis in America," says that 9,500 new dental providers are needed to meet the country's current oral health needs.

"Science and government reports prove that fluoridation is a public health blunder; but politics keeps it alive," says attorney Paul Beeber, NYSCOF President. "It's time for all Americans to demand their legislators stop adding unnecessary, health-robbing, money-wasting fluoride chemicals into their bodies via the water supply."

Fluoridation Fails as America's cavity crisis escalates  For example:

BMC Oral Health reports that Kentucky, the most fluoridated state (100%) exceeds the US average for dental health problems as 13% of adults aged over 18 years are missing all of their teeth, compared to 6% nationally, placing Kentucky as the nation's highest percentage of toothless persons.

Health Care in the Two Americas, reports, the states with the most tooth loss are West Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Kentucky (fluoridation rates 92%, 92%, 80%, 55% and 100%, respectively). Slightly fluoridated Hawaii and Utah have the lowest tooth loss rates.

In Connecticut, the 4th richest state, fluoridation is state-mandated since the 1960's. Yet, 35% of white third-graders have cavities compared to 50% of African Americans and 50% of Hispanics – even though 42%, 35% and 49% have dental sealants, respectively. Up to 57% of low-income third-graders have tooth decay, 18% untreated, despite an increase in Medicaid utilization. 

Fluoridation is required in Minnesota - 72% of low-income third-graders have tooth decay compared to 46% of non-poor). Between 2007 and 2010, Minnesota reported $148 million in emergency charges for preventable, non-traumatic dental care. 

In Oregon, 52% of first, second and third graders in fluoridated areas had one or more cavities but only 48% in the non-fluoridated Oregon city of Portland.

"Thus, fluoridation is not the model success it has been claimed to be; but is a dismal failure," says Beeber. Studies show ingesting fluoride is linked to many ill-health effects.