CDC 2011/2012 statistics reveal low-income children’s tooth decay rates are increasing substantially – despite record numbers of children served with fluoride from water, foods, dental products and medicines causing an overall alarming surge in fluoride-overdose symptoms – dental fluorosis (discoloured teeth), reports the New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc. (NYSCOF).
Decay rates for children living 100 per cent below the Federal Poverty Level are 40 per cent in three- to five-year-olds; 69 per cent in six- to nine-year-olds; and 74 per cent in 13- to 15-year-olds, based on Federal data (2011/2012 NHANES) to be presented at an American Public Health Association Meeting 11/2/16).
Previous cavity rates (NHANES III 1988-1994) for similar children’s primary teeth were much lower – 30 per cent of two- to five-year-olds; 42 per cent of 6- to 12-year-olds and 34 per cent of 15- to 18-year-olds’ permanent teeth.
“Claims that poor children need fluoride are without merit or evidence,” says attorney Paul Beeber, NYSCOF President. “It’s the dental care delivery system that needs fixing. Low-income Americans need dental care, not fluoride.”
In fact, dental expenses were a leading contributor to medical debt in 2012.
Along with low-income children’s rampant cavities, all children’s dental fluorosis rates surged, according to CDC’s 2011-2012 NHANES survey. Fifty-eight per cent of all children (6- to 19-year olds) now have fluorosis, with a staggering 21 per cent of children displaying moderate fluorosis on at least two teeth. Black children are most afflicted.
“Fluorosis is the outward sign of fluoride toxicity,” says Mr. Beeber.
“By focusing on fluoridation instead of diet and dentist-access, organised dentistry allowed a national dental health crisis to occur on its watch and created a new one – dental fluorosis,” says dentist David Kennedy, past-president of IAOMT (International Academy of Oral Medicine & Toxicology). “It’s reckless to allow organised dentistry to vouch for fluoride safety. Adverse health effects, outside of the oral cavity from ingested fluoride are not within the purview of dentistry, according to the California Board of Dental Examiners.”
Claims that stopping fluoridation would raise tooth decay rates are disproved by several studies. Also, Poughkeepsie, NY stopped fluoridation in 2008. Third-graders’ cavity rates declined steadily – 61 per cent in 2013; 51 per cent in June 2014; 45 per cent in October 2014; and 31 per cent in 2015, according to NYU researchers.
Research shows fluoride ingestion is more likely to cause fluorosis than prevent a cavity, according to Fluoride Action Network – New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc.