A new study using dental insurance records of 6.4 million adults in England found essentially no reduction in tooth decay for those living in fluoridated areas. This study “should be the last nail in the coffin of fluoridation” argue the Fluoride Action Network (FAN), who have continuously fought against the use of fluoride due to its harm to health.
The LOTUS study, which is the largest ever study of the effects of fluoridation on the dental health of adults was funded by the UK Department of Health, and was intended to inform policy-makers of what to expect for future dental and economic outcomes from the current plan to expand fluoridation to all of England. However, the study found “exceedingly small” reductions in caries most people would not consider meaningful.
An economic cost-benefit analysis found individuals would only save about $1 a year in dental expenses, a savings that wouldn’t even pay for a cup of coffee. The authors cautioned, however, that their economic analysis did not take into account the capital costs of expanding fluoridation, which could easily tip their economic estimates of fluoridation to a net loss. Millions would be spent for virtually no benefit.
The Cost of Fluoridation Health Harms
The Fluoride Action Network (FAN), who are dedicated to protecting public health by ending water fluoridation and other involuntary exposures to fluoride say that what is far more important, but omitted from the economic analysis, are the costs from health harms caused by fluoridation. “70% of children in fluoridated parts of the U.S. now have dental fluorosis” FAN claim and say that “the cost of cosmetic dentistry to correct what can be an unsightly condition even in its so-called “mild” stage, would exceed the marginal 2% cavity reduction found by the LOTUS study.“
The Fluoride Action Network (FAN) seeks to broaden awareness among citizens, scientists, and policymakers on the toxicity of fluoride compounds. FAN provides comprehensive and up-to-date information and remains vigilant in monitoring government agency actions that impact the public’s exposure to fluoride. The information and studies cited below have been sourced from various pages of FAN’s website “the Fluoride Alert”
Developmental Neurotoxicity
FAN argue that additionally, the neurotoxic effects of fluoride were not mentioned in the study. Yet the scientific evidence is now strong that fluoridated water can harm the developing brain and cause reduced IQ in children. The economic cost of nation-wide “brain drain” would certainly dwarf the costs of filling a few cavities.
Read More: New Government-Funded Study Found Virtually No Dental Benefit From Fluoridation.
