Are there any respected science or health organizations organizations worldwide that oppose fluoridation? NO!
Major science and health organizations worldwide (over 100 listed so far), the health agencies of all 50 states in the U.S. a number of health insurance companies and the States/Provinces in Australia and Canada recognize the safety and effectiveness of community water fluoridation (CWF).
Fact –
In stark contrast to the widespread
support for CWF by respected science and health
organizations worldwide
–– and the hundreds of thousands of scientists and
health professionals they represent ––
I am aware of no major, recognized science or health
organizations that have publicly stated CWF is harmful
or ineffective, and there are relatively few
scientists and/or health care providers that support the
anti-fluoridation conclusions.
** In fact, I have only found
a few alternative
science/health organizations that accept the
anti-fluoridation opinions
as legitimate. The few I have found that promote a
public anti-fluoridation
policy are listed below.
These organizations often also subscribe to other
‘medical’ notions that don’t conform to mainstream
medical practices.
Examples:
a.
the International Academy of Oral Medicine and
Toxicology (IAOMT)
recommends “policies
[that] should reduce and work toward eliminating
avoidable sources of fluoride,
including water fluoridation, fluoride-containing dental materials,
and other fluoridated products, as a means to promote
overall health.”
IAOMT also oppose dental mercury amalgam fillings
and recommend their removal, which has increased the
bottom lines of members by advocating expensive,
unnecessary removal and replacement of safe, durable,
long-lasting amalgam fillings by employing the same
types of scare tactics used in the campaign against
fluoridation.
In fact, Christine Till, one of the
most public and prolific fluoridation/harm researchers
(author/coauthor of at least 11 publications promoted by
FOs since 2018) chose to speak (virtually) at an
IAOMT meeting in
September, 2020 which gave top billing to
other speakers
including defrocked British doctor
Andrew Wakefield, whose study linking
vaccines and autism (which fueled anti-vaccination
passion) was exposed as fraudulent, and
Judy Mikovits, a former biochemist who
starred in a viral video that promulgated a litany of
false information on the coronavirus. The IAOMT is an
exceptionally good example of the only type of
organizations that accept Till’s studies as
well-conducted and relevant. Note: the current
IAOMT listing of the September 2020 meeting no longer shows
Wakefield or Mikovits, so I linked to an image of the
original listing of meeting participants. The
Wayback site provides a link to
an historic IAOMT page that does list
Wakefield and Mikovits --
the link should display a calendar for IAOMT
2020. Mouse-over September 24 and click on the
snapshot 16:51:52 link. That should load a page
that shows three meeting videos. Wait a bit
for everything to load, then click on the 09-2020
Nashville, TN link and the speaker list should be
displayed.
(Quackwatch,
Rationalwiki)
b.
the International College of Integrative Medicine (ICIM)
stated, 11/13/2018, “ICIM
joins with our similarly minded medical partners in
seeking to prevent illness. We whole heartedly support a
national ban on the practice of community water
fluoridation that augments natural levels of fluoride in
the water with an industrially created chemical to a
concentration deemed "optimal" by fluoridation
proponents. We agree with the IAOMT who in 2017
published a Position Paper Against Fluoride Use in
Water, Dental Materials and Other Products that the
evidence of harm to the public and to the environment
outweigh any arguments of dental benefit. We also agree
with the AAEM who recognized fluoride as one of the
common irritants for those with multiple chemical
sensitivities in 2008.”
In addition to opposing CWF (published
letter - faim.org/wetoo-medical-assault-and-battery),
as of
7/20/2020, the ICIM did “not
recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to
protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including
COVID-19.”
The ICIM’s advice for treating “more
severe cases [of COVID-19]: Osteopathic manipulation of
the upper thoracic spine to include the “rib raising
technique” increases lymphatic outflow and helps
modulate the sympathetic nervous system.”
(Science-based
Medicine,
Respectful
Insolence)
c.
the American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM), “The greatest scam ever perpetuated on the American public and our dentists may be the addition of fluoride to water systems, dental office treatments, toothpastes, and mouthwashes.(archived)”,
(Science-Based
Medicine)
d.
the International Academy of Biological Dentists and Medicine (IABDM) recommends a
NO vote on mandated water fluoridation in Portland.
It also promotes the idea that, with respect to
vaccination, “the
right of every individual to make their own health
decisions” and “too
often, [public health] measures cross the line and
infringe upon the right of informed consent.
Fluoridation is one such measure. Mandatory vaccination
is another.”
In 2015 there were about
180 members.
e.
the International Chiropractors Association (ICA) “considers
public water fluoridation to be possibly harmful and a
deprivation of the rights of citizens to be free from
unwelcome mass medication.
The ICA is opposed to the addition of fluoride in
any of its forms of drinking water supplies of our
nation’s cities and municipalities.”
The ICA also “supports each individual’s right to select his or her own health care
and to be made aware of the possible adverse effects of
vaccines upon a human body.” and “questions
the wisdom of mass vaccination programs.
Chiropractic principles favor the enhancement of
natural immunity
over artificial immunization.”
It is important to understand that natural (or innate) immunity is
only a general type of protection – not the protection
vaccination provides against specific viruses and
bacteria. (SfSBM,
Science-Based
Medicine)
f.
the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) “Supports
banning the addition of fluoride or products containing
fluoride to public water supplies and to any
substances intended for human consumption.”
In 2016 there were about
244
practitioners worldwide. (Wikipedia,
Science Based
Medicine,
RationalWiki,
Quackwatch)
g.
the Children’s Health Defense (CHD) is not a
science or health organization.
It is an advocacy group that labels “U.S.
Water Fluoridation: A Forced Experiment that Needs to
End.”
The organization is
anti-vaccination and also
believes; “COVID-19
Testing, Reaching, and Contacting Everyone (TRACE) Act”
is Unconstitutional and Threatens the Liberty of All
Americans.”
(Wikipedia,
reviews,
ACoSaH),
Fact Check,
Respectful
Insolence,
Skeptical
Raptor,
Science-Based
Medicine)
h.
the Fluoride Action Network (FAN) is not a science or health
organization, but it is one of the larger, more vocal,
persistent and well-funded organizations dedicated to
halting or preventing CWF.
FAN References:
Critique of
Claims,
Irrational
Fears,
Fluoride & IQ,
Institute for
Science in Medicine,
BDJ Team,
Respectful
Insolence,
The Atlantic,
i.
It is
advisable to carefully examine the reliability and
credibility of any alleged science or health
organization you depend on for your health and safety.
This resource provides a
list of warning signs for questionable organizations and
a list of candidates.
This resource describes why
one should be wary of many “Alternative,”
“Complementary,” and “Integrative” health methods – and
those who promote them.
j.
Vocal, high-profile fluoridation opponents who aggressively promote
the anti-fluoridation agenda frequently will also oppose
other science-based practices like vaccination, and they
are often prone to promoting various conspiracy theories
to support their beliefs.
Some vocal FOs (with references to evaluations of
their opinions) include:
·
Paul Connett, Ph.D, is a retired chemistry professor and executive
director of FAN.
He has been invited to speak at anti-fluoridation
events around the world.
His 2015 presentation in Denver, in an effort to
halt fluoridation, is one of the reasons I decided to
publicly challenge the claims and tactics of
anti-fluoridation activists.
Connett provides an excellent example of the
presentation of anti-F–
opinions by someone with science training.
** Connett
References:
ScienceBlogs,
Quackwatch,
Open Parachute (2013-2014
debate),
Campaign for
Dental Health,
MSoF,
I Like My
Teeth
·
Bill Osmunson, DDS, MPH is senior advisor of FAN and a vocal
opponent of CWF.
He actively promotes misleading anti-fluoridation
propaganda like “there’s the same
equivalence of fluoride in an 8 ounce glass of
fluoridated tap water as there is in a “pea-sized”
amount needed to call the Poison Control Center, as
recommended on the back of any fluoridated toothpaste.”
Osmunson is very active in online comment sections as
can be seen in
his response to Ken
Perrott’s evaluation of studies promoted by FOs and a
discussion about a
possible online debate.
Osmunson provides an excellent example of the
presentation of anti-F–
opinions by someone with health-care training.
·
Joseph Mercola is an osteopathic physician and alternative health
merchant who is a vocal opponent of
vaccination and
fluoridation health
practices.
He also supports other questionable practices, for
example marketing “The
13 Amazing Health Benefits of Himalayan Crystal Salt,
the
Purest Salt on Earth"
in addition to
(Himalayan Salt
lamps).
His claim is, “Typical Table and Cooking Salt in Your Grocery Store Has Been
'Chemically Cleaned'.
What
remains … is sodium chloride – an unnatural chemical
form of salt.”
In fact,
after the cleaning process, what remains, the “Typical
Table and Cooking Salt“, is actually pure salt (NaCl)
which is white.
The pink
color of the Himalayan salt is caused by
contaminants “at least 84 naturally
occurring trace elements (Mercola)”. Only about ¼ of the
minerals in HCS are nutrients, and the other ¾ have no
health benefits and “many of them are known to be harmful (mercury, arsenic, lead, for example)”.
There is also no legitimate scientific evidence
that HCS lamps have any health benefits whatever.
Mercola has been issued numerous
FDA warnings for making false/illegal product
claims. He
provides an excellent example of the presentation of
anti-F–
opinions by someone with alternative-health-care
training.
** Mercola
References:
Science-Based
Medicine,
American
Council on Science and Health,
RationalWiki,
Bad Science
Debunked,
The Ringer,
Skeptiod,
ScienceBlogs (more),
Skeptic’s Dictionary,
Rational Wiki,
Slate
·
‘Professor’ Noel Campbell, “Bachelor of Dental Science”
was one of six original Australian signers of the FAN
Professionals’ Statement opposing CWF. The
'Professor' title was apparently given by a Chinese
university for his charity work, but sadly the paperwork
had been lost. Campbell voluntarily de-registered
himself as a dentist many years ago after getting into
trouble for repeatedly pumping ozone up a woman's bottom
to cure her facial pain. Spoiler alert: Pumping ozone up
your bottom doesn't cure facial pain. Not surprisingly,
the Dental Practice Board of Victoria found him guilty
of "grossly negligent dental treatment".
** Campbell References:
UK Against Fluoridation,
Sydney Morning Herald,
News.com.au,
InSight,
ABC.net.au,
TheAge
·
Mike Adams, the “Health Ranger” (Natural News) is a vocal
anti-fluoride activist as well as a vaccine denier and
an
opponent of modern medicine. His article 'The
10 biggest health care lies in America' begins,
“Mainstream health care isn't based on 'health' or
'caring.' It's actually based on an ingrained system of
medical mythology that's practiced -- and defended -- by
those who profit from the continuation of sickness and
disease.”
Claims Debunked
** Adams References:
Campaign for Dental Health,
Rational Wiki,
McGill,
Science Based Medicine,
Forbes,
Worst Science Websites, 2016,
Bad Science Debunked,
Big Think,
Skeptical Science
·
Alex Jones (InfoWars) is a vocal anti-fluoride,
anti-vaccination activist and promotes a number of
conspiracy theories like “the Sandy Hook massacre of 20
first graders and six adults was an elaborate hoax”.
** Jones References:
Campaign for Dental Health,
Rational Wiki,
Bad Science Debunked,
Rolling Stone,
NY Times (more)
·
David Icke (Son
of the Godhead) – former footballer and sports
broadcaster – is a vocal anti-fluoride activist and
promotes a number of other outlier beliefs.
** Icke References:
Rational Wiki,
BBC,
TheGardian
·
James Reeves – one of the
more prolific FOs, publicly denouncing CWF with standard
anti-F–
claims in wide-spread comment sections responding to any
articles that mention fluoride or fluoridation.
Reeves regularly employs
two
anti-science tactics,
Gish Gallop and
Argumentum ad nauseam.
An
example of 148 Reeves’ comments over a three week period in response to three articles.
If you look at this example, you will see that
Reeves seldom responds to my challenges and refutations
– he just copy/pastes the next unfounded claim.
I admit to responding to his comments to keep him
galloping…
k.
There is absolutely no evidence that most (or even a
significant number of) science and health professionals
oppose CWF,
even though opponents of CWF (and others who hold views
contrary to a scientific consensus) are frequently
extremely vocal about their beliefs, very eager to share
their opinions with others, and will do whatever they
can to promote their beliefs.
Most of the vocal anti-CWF activism around the
world is conducted by members of the public who are not
trained scientists or health care professionals.
However, they have very strong and inflexible
personal beliefs that align with those of professional
FOs, and they have unconditionally accepted the anti-F–
arguments as valid and acted on them.
They believe they are accepting a legitimate
interpretation and presentation of the evidence, even
though they don’t have the training &/or experience to
personally evaluate that evidence.
To be fair, most people who accept the
conclusions and recommendations of mainstream scientists
and health care providers don’t have the training &/or
experience to personally evaluate the relevant bodies of
evidence either – they trust their health to
professionals who accept the scientific consensus.
In fact:
The heavily promoted
FAN Professionals Statement to End Water Fluoridation
(PStEWF), initiated in 2007 actually confirms the
outlier status of FOs.
By March, 2015 the PStEWF had collected about
4,700 signatures from around the world, and by
December 2018 a whoppin’ 4,804 signatures had been
collected out of the millions of working and retired
medical, dental and scientific professionals in the
world. For example, out of those 4,804 signatures, only:
o
378 dentists worldwide signed the petition.
That’s roughly 0.02% of the 1.8 million practicing
dentists in the world and
0.19% of the
200,000 dentists
in the U.S.
o
582 MDs signed the petition. That’s about 0.006%
of the 10-15 million practicing physicians in the world
and only 0.06%
of the
950,000 physicians
in the U.S.
o
860 nurses signed the petition.
That’s about 0.003% of practicing nurses
worldwide and just
0.03 % of the
3 million registered nurses
in the U.S.
o
106 pharmacists signed the petition. That’s
approximately 0.005% of the more than 2 million
practicing pharmacists worldwide and
0.03% of the
310,000 pharmacists
in the U.S.
o
537 individuals with a PhD signed the petition.
That’s just
0.01% of the
4.5 million PhD holders
in the U.S.
o
130 dental hygienists signed the petition.
That’s
0.06% of the
219,000 dental hygienists
in the U.S.
Those minute percentages, based on the number of practicing professionals, don’t even reflect the millions more retired professionals in the U.S. and other countries who could have signed the petition if they believed the anti-fluoridation propaganda was supported by accurate and legitimate evidence.
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