Dentists in Queensland are warning that we are placing the future of our children’s dental health in jeopardy as the anti-fluoride movement sparks more wars against fluoride. Public health experts agree that fluoride is a critical tool for preventing tooth decay, particularly in communities with less access to dental care. The widening chasm on fluoridation of water leads to fierce clashes. Public health officials, local government representatives, and community dental health advocates are all echoing a growing call for answers as to what’s next for the future of state dental health policy.
Dr. Michael Foley, a leading authority on public health policy, contends that arguments opposing fluoride are seductive and persuasive at first glance. He claims they are all awful in principle. He exposes the deep-rooted propaganda campaign against fluoride. Over the decades, claims have changed from the 1960s introduction of it causing acne and cancer to today’s contemporary claims, which are not backed up with substantial scientific evidence.
In recent years, local councils in Queensland have been granted the authority to decide whether or not to fluoridate water supplies. The now Campbell Newman LNP state government started this trend in 2012. As a direct effect of this ruling, only 17 out of 77 councils choose to fluoridate their water systems. As a result, there has been a dramatic increase in defluoridation. Yet the impact of these decisions is far reaching, especially for at-risk communities.
The Impact of Anti-Fluoride Sentiment
Dr. Tim Keys, a pediatric dentist who provides care to children in lower-socioeconomic communities in regional Queensland, expresses concern about the rising anti-fluoride sentiment. Unlike the organized and vocal opposition, there is no sound coming from the massive silent majority that enjoys the benefits of having fluoridated water.
“These decisions defy strong medical advice and will likely increase preventable decay, pain and costs, disproportionately hurting vulnerable families,” he states. We hear this all the time from dental professionals. Second, they fear as the result of abandoning fluoride we would do severe damage to the teeth of coming generations.
Dolly Jensen, Deputy Mayor of Gympie, recently stated her passionate desire to reintroduce fluoride to community water. This follows Gympie’s decision to vote for the removal of fluoride after 15 years of fluoride usage. “In 20 years’ time, you’ll probably see our grandchildren and our great-grandchildren with every second tooth missing and we will just look like hillbilly rednecks,” she warns. Jensen argues that health decisions should be guided by expert recommendations rather than influenced by a small group of vocal dissenters.
Dr. Foley supports this view, stating that health matters should be decided at the state level rather than left to local councils. He emphasizes that “if water fluoridation caused any adverse health impacts of any sort, the Australian Medical Association would not be supporting it.”
Misinformation About Fluoride
Much of the arguments against fluoride are based on old or bad studies. Dr. Foley points out that a lot of studies reporting adverse effects of fluoride use small sample sizes. On top of that, these studies are usually riddled with serious methodological flaws. “Studies purporting to show it lowers IQ or otherwise can be very easily disregarded,” he asserts.
Despite this clear and widespread scientific agreement in support of fluoride, some members of the community would be adamantly against it. Vocal anti-fluoride advocate, Allona Lahn, makes their case for right to choose what you put into your communities water supply. “We are slaves and servants to the people; we are free people, we are sovereign and we deserve the right to have our say, and our choice,” she states.
This attitude is part of a larger distrust of government regulations that dictate the public’s health behaviors, which many consider to be an encroachment on individual liberties.
The Role of Public Health Organizations
The Australian Dental Association unequivocally supports community water fluoridation as a safe, effective, and equitable public health measure. Dr. Kelly Hennessy, speaking on behalf of the ADA, argues that health should not be a politicized issue. She celebrates the immeasurable positive impact fluoride has had on communities throughout the years.
…leaders like Dr. Foley and Dr. Keys are calling for a joined front on public health policy against fluoridation. They know this is necessary to achieve racial equity in health. They contend that agency decisions should be based on scientific evidence. The future well-being of Queensland’s children has to take priority over the publicity-seeking conjectures of a fearful few.
Dr. Keys wants people to know that if you do not want fluoride, there are safe alternatives for you to avoid fluoride water. “These people who are fighting for the right to have a choice can filter out the fluoride if they do not want it,” he explains.
