CDC Pronouncements Mislead Americans on Oral Health Improvement and Fluoride Benefits
NYSCOF
(CDC) distributed misleading information to Americans via their 8/25/05
press release, which claims increased tooth retention among older
adults, and less children's cavities (A). Actually, more recent CDC
statistics show adult tooth loss and preschoolers tooth decay rates
worsening despite widespread fluoride use.
The CDC report, highlighted in the 8/25 press release, "New Report
Finds Improvements in Oral Health of Americans," is based on two old
studies culled during years 1988-1994 and 1999-2002, which claims no
change in cavity rate in baby teeth of children, aged two - eleven
and less tooth loss in the elderly.
Actually, tooth loss in the over-65 crowd increased from 17.6% in 2002
(B) to 21.2% in 2004 (C), according to the CDC's own website. And
cavity experience in two - four-year-olds is getting worse, according
to a 3/17/04 CDC "Oral Health Progress Review." (D)
In 1945, dentists projected water fluoridation would create fluorosis
(discolored teeth) in 10% of the population in its mildest form -
white spots. But now, according to the CDC, not only do 1/3 of six -
nineteen-year-olds suffer from fluoride overdose, but 4% of it is
severe fluorosis - yellow or brown stained and/or pitted or crumbly
teeth, which actually decays faster than healthy dentition. Fluorosis
occurs more often in blacks (42% of blacks; see table 20) who also have
the highest tooth decay rates (43% of 2 - 11 year-olds).
"Since blacks have the most dental fluorosis and the most cavities,
if anything, this report shows fluoride is an ineffective cavity
fighter," says lawyer Paul Beeber, President, New York State
Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation. "We are appalled that government
officials take every opportunity to extol the virtues of fluoridation,
without the scientific evidence to back it up," says Beeber.
This CDC report didn't even attempt to link cavity rates with
fluoride use but CDC officials imply it does. The director of the
CDC's oral health division, Dr. William Maas told Reuters Health,
"This reduced decay in all ages is really a reflection of the
widespread availability of fluoride." (E)
Within minutes the American Dental Association (ADA) jumped on the
fluoridation bandwagon issuing a news release that says about the CDC
report, "It tells us that preventive measures such as dental sealants,
water fluoridation, regular dental visits and programs to promote good
oral hygiene practices are having a positive impact on the nation's
overall oral health." (F)
Actually the report proves none of the above. The ADA and CDC really
can't tell whether better diet, food fortification, better dental
care or something else caused a cavity decline. Maybe it was just
creative math.
If fluoridation is truly responsible for a cavity decline, one would
expect decay rates to be lower in more highly fluoridated states. But
that's not the case. However, cavity rates are associated with low
income (G)
For example, CDC statistics show that:
Despite a 60% fluoridation rate, Arkansas has the most third-graders
suffering with tooth decay (72%) and the highest number of poor
children (45%)
Oklahoma third-graders endure the second worst cavity rate (69%) even
though 3/4 of the state is fluoridated. But 41% are poor, the second
poorest state on the CDC's list.
Similarly, 89% fluoridated South Dakota reveals the third worst decay
rate (68%) where 41% are poor.
At the low end:
Massachusetts, Maine and Vermont third-graders have the least decay -
49%, 45% and 44%, respectively, and the smallest amount of poor
children (26%, 32% and 31%), Fluoridation rates: 63%, 75%, and 54%,
respectively.
While the ADA and CDC brag about fluoridation, tooth decay crises are
taking place in most, if not all, large U.S. fluoridated cities. (H)
Tooth decay has become the new American caste system, according to
best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell who writes in the New Yorker that
rotted teeth are the single most common complaint of America's
uninsured which keeps them in bad jobs, bad health, eating bad diets
and generally keeping them down. (I) One hundred and eight million
Americans lack dental insurance.
Two poor-diet-related diseases, cavities and obesity, go up as income
goes down.(J)
The states with the most obese residents have the highest rates of
tooth loss despite higher rates of water fluoridation. The leaner
states enjoy less tooth loss and lower fluoridation rates. (K)
"Tooth loss is a result of a poor diet and lack of dental care and
has nothing to do with fluoride ingestion," says Beeber. "Fluoride
added to water supplies is linked to cancer, bone damage, thyroid
dysfunction, kidney problems and damaged teeth," says Beeber. "We
join with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Employees Unions
asking for a moratorium on water fluoridation." (L)
If you agree, please sign the petition supporting 11 EPA Unions,
representing 7,000 EPA employees including scientists, toxicologists
and other health professionals, in asking Congress to stop fluoridation
until further study shows fluoridation's benefits are worth the
expense and risks.
http://petition.powalliance.org/index.html
END
References:
A) U.S. Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for
Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Office of
Communication, "New Report Finds Improvements in
Oral Health of Americans," 8/25/05
http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r050825.htm
B) 2002 tooth loss statistics
http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/brfss/list.asp?cat=OH&yr=2002&qkey=6605&state=All
C) 2004 tooth loss statistics
http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/brfss/list.asp?cat=OH&yr=2004&qkey=6606&state=All
D) Oral Health Progress Review 3/17/04
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/ppt/hpdata2010/focusareas/fa21.ppt (slide 5)
E) "Tooth decay in US falls sharply in kids, teens - CDC, August
25, 2004, Source: Reuters, by Paul Simao
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N25251530.htm
F)
http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/pubs/adanews/adanewsarticle.asp?articleid=1545
G) U.S. Centers For Disease Control, "Caries Experience Percentage of
3rd Grade students with Caries Experience (treated or untreated tooth
decay)
http://www2.cdc.gov/nohss/IndicatorV.asp?Indicator=2
H) http://www.orgsites.com/ny/nyscof2/_pgg6.php3
I) http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/050829fa_fact
J) http://www.frac.org/html/hunger_in_the_us/hunger&obesity.htm
K) Obesity Rates by State
http://healthyamericans.org/newsroom/releases/release082305.pdf
Fluoridation Rates by State
http://www2.cdc.gov/nccdphp/doh/synopses/WaterFluoridationV.asp?Year=2004
Tooth Loss by State
http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/brfss/list.asp?cat=OH&yr=2004&qkey=6606&state=All
L) "EPA Unions Call for Nationwide Moratorium on Fluoridation,
Congressional Hearing on Adverse Effects, Youth Cancer Cover Up,"
August 18, 2005
http://www.nteu280.org/Issues/Fluoride/Press%20Release.%20Fluoride.htm