FAN Bulletin 783

March 27, 2007

Dear All,

In haste - back safely from Israel – off to Toronto today for two talks. The first on waste management at the “The Galaxy” 475 North Service Road, Oakville, Ontario (Oakville is about 30 minutes west of Toronto) at 7:30 pm tonight. The second on the dangers of fluoridation will be at the Oakville Town Hall (1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville) tomorrow, again at 7:30 pm. Please pass this along to friends in the Toronto area.

Lots to report on the IAOMT meeting in Tucson, Arizona and the trip to Israel and I will do so on my return, sometime after this coming Thursday.

Dr. Leonardis, a well known pediatrician in Maine, has been stirring things up in his state with his efforts to make Maine the first fluoride free state (after Hawaii). Needless to say, this has brought out the pro-fluoridation establishment in droves. Not with any sound arguments or studies refuting his arguments but with the same old, “Its safe and effective. Trust us we know!” It has also generated a lot of support for Dr. Leonardis’ courageous efforts. The letter below caught my eye because I believe it can be added to readers’ ammunition for their own battles.

Paul Connett

MAURICE GUNSBERGER, M.D., P.C.
2920 Hempstead Turnpike
Levittown, New York 11756
Telephone 516-735-4949

March 22, 2007

To the Media in Maine, and To Whom It May Concern:

As a pediatrician, I am in agreement with Dr. Leo Leonidas in expressing a different point of view from those who assert fluoridation to be safe and beneficial. I have long differed with the claim that fluoridation is a wise procedure to be administered through the public drinking water. No drug is safe for all people, and fluoride is no exception. There is always a certain percentage of patients who may be sensitive to a certain substance. This can usually be remedied by a change in dosage or medication. No such safeguards are present in water, from which there is no practical escape for a sensitive individual.

The procedure of fluoridation is contrary to sound medical practice. Patients have their own unique biological needs and reactions. When fluoride is placed into water supplies to treat all the people, some are bound to be adversely affected.. In addition, people consume varying amounts of water in drinking and cooking, thereby ingesting uncontrolled amounts of fluoride.

One need only refer to standard medical publications to find numerous adverse effects, apart from the very definite undesirable effect of mottled teeth in a considerable percentage of children - some of it quite objectionable. This occurs whether in naturally or artificially fluoridated water supplies. Some years back an issue of Modern Medicine said that ‘many (physicians) reported being insufficiently informed about the adverse effects of fluoride.” Although this is very true, it has been my observation that more recently many more proponents of fluoridation, including dental and medical authorities, are in agreement with critics of fluoridation in recognizing that total fluoride intake has reached the point of concern, if not “overkill.” Total fluoride intake has increased noticeably over the years, in large part due to fluoridated water supplies and, consequently, the food chain which has become saturated with fluoride..

I have observed an increasing number of cautions published in recognized journals, including Pediatrics that cautioned pediatricians about fluoride dosage, that before prescribing fluoride supplements, “a careful dietary history and testing water supplies should not be taken lightly” and that the fluoride dosage “should be adjusted downward for the significantly underweight child.” They also advised that “a small amount of fluoride-containing toothpaste (about half the size of a pea) should be used….”…..It would be difficult, if not impossible, to apply such precautions when fluoride is added to public drinking water. These cautions remain even more true today with total fluoride intake having increased even further.

Mainly, I believe it is time our public water supplies were used as a source of potable drinking water, and not as a vehicle to dispense forced medication to an entire population for a lifetime without regard to age, weight or state of health.

My medical office is located in Levittown, New York, where fluoridation was discontinued in 1983, after 29 years of mandatory fluoridation. It is my hope that other fluoridated communities make the same decision.

Sincerely,

Maurice Gunsberger, M.D.