Fluoridation makes international news

August 25, 2014 Experts in New Zealand have completed a scientific review affirming the efficacyand safety of community water fluoridation, according to a news release from the Royal Society ofNew Zealand.

The review, "Health Effects of Water Fluoridation: a Review of the Scientific Evidence," wascommissioned by the New Zealand prime minister's chief science advisor, Sir Peter Gluckman andSir David Skegg, president of the RSNZ, in response to a request by Auckland City on behalf ofseveral local councils.

"The process for the review was rigorous," said Mr. Skegg. "It included an extensive evaluation ofthe scientific literature by a panel of five experts, as well as one lay observer with local bodyexperience. The resulting report was reviewed by three international experts and by the director ofthe National Poisons Centre."

According to Mr. Skegg, the panel paid particularly closeattention to the claims that fluoride contributes to the risksof cancer, musculoskeletal and hormonal disorders, as wellas to claims that it has adverse effects on braindevelopment.

"The review finds compelling evidence that fluoridation ofthe water at the established and recommended levelsproduces broad and continuing benefits for the dental health of New Zealanders," said Mr.Gluckman. "The public can be reassured on the basis of robust scientific data, that theimplementation of this public health measure poses no risk of adverse health effects," he said.

"The report strongly reaffirms the New Zealand Dental Association's position that community waterfluoridation is a safe, effective and cost efficient way of reducing dental caries and reducing healthinequalities," said Dr. David Crum, CEO of the NZDA.

The dental http://blog.dentistthemenace.com/2012/04/texas-board-of-dental-examinersdrilled.htmlassociation said the report reassures New Zealand councils with established community waterfluoridation schemes that water fluoridation poses no risks to public health, and has significantbenefits for their communities. It also highlights for councils whose community water fluoridation isyet to be introduced that they can confidently implement this important public health measure. "Theresult will have click a huge benefit, particularly for those living within communities who have highrates of tooth decay," Dr. Crum said.

Yet in Israel, the nation's health minister Yael German issued a decision Aug. 17 to prohibit thefluoridation of the nation's drinking water, according to reports in the Jerusalem Post.

Israel's health ministry began mandatory water fluoridation in 1970 for cities, towns and settlementswith more than 5,000 residents, reaching about 70 percent of residents.

The Jerusalem Post's Aug. 18 news story reads, "Contrary to the advice of public health anddentistry experts in her own ministry and academia, Health Minister Yael German has decided toprohibit the fluoridation of drinking water around the country. � German reiterated that sherecognized the tasteless, colorless gas as very effective in reducing dental cavities, especially amongchildren. But she added that instead of forcing all Israelis to consume fluoridated water to benefitchildren's teeth, the delivery system should be changed so each parent can decide and take actionindividually if they wanted their child to get dental protection. On Aug. 26, regulations to halt allfluoridated will go into effect, and parents would have to act proactively to protect and improve theirdental hygiene."

The American Dental Association notes that Israel is the first nation to ban fluoridation in its nearly70-year history of use as a public health measure to protect against caries. Worldwide, some 405million people in more than 60 countries have access to fluoridated water.

For more information on community water fluoridation in the U.S., visit ADA.org/fluoride. The ADAoffers a variety of resources, including Fluoridation Facts � a comprehensive 71-pageresource of fluoridation facts taken from over 350 scientific references.