FAN Bulletin 903

December 18, 2007

Dear All,

Yesterday, the ADA posted its response to the Scientific American article (see below). In short, it has no answers to the damning evidence of harm reported by the NRC (2006) and Dan Fagin’s summary of the same. All the ADA can do is to reproduce its mantra:

“Based on the overwhelming weight of peer-reviewed, credible scientific evidence, the ADA has long-supported community water fluoridation as a safe, effective means of preventing tooth decay.”

Even the ADA must realize that this kind of statement in lieu of any scientific argument or reference to the primary literature is wearing pretty thin.

No answers from the ADA, but we are still waiting hopefully for many more answers from you – our readers and hopefully our supporters – to help us raise money for next year’s important effort to win the political battle against fluoridation.  Quite frankly, yesterday’s response was very thin. We only managed to add $160 to our total of $1860. Hopefully, we will do a little better today. We only have 6 days left to reach our first mini-goal of $12,000 by Christmas Eve. Can we do it?

To date, we have raised $2,020, which with a $5000 matching grant in place, brings our current total up to $4,040.  

Won’t you please help us reach our first mini-goal? Every contribution – large or small – is critically important both to build up our fighting fund for 2008 and for our morale. And don’t forget each donation right now is worth double!

It is easy and quick to do - just go to   and click on the Donate link at the top of the page. Your donations are tax deductible (if you are a US citizen), because our parent organization the American Environmental Health Studies Project (AEHSP) has 5013C status.

Alternatively, you may simply write out a check to AEHSP and send it to AEHSP, 82 Judson Street, Canton, NY 13617. If you choose this way of donating please let us know with an email so that we can keep an accurate running total.

Thank you for everything you do in this battle for our health, and scientific integrity in public life.

Paul Connett
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ADA’s response to the January, 2008, Scientific American article

Fluoride report in Scientific American
Posted Dec. 17, 2007

An article in the January 2008 edition of Scientific American raises questions about the safety and effectiveness of fluoride and fluoridation.

The eight-page article, entitled “Second Thoughts about Fluoride,” centers on a report released in 2006 by a committee of the National Research Council, which examined the effects of naturally occurring fluoride in drinking water.

Written by Dan Fagin, an associate professor of journalism at New York University, the article also cites findings from the Iowa Fluoride Study, a long-running investigation of fluoride’s effects, still in progress at the University of Iowa.

Based on the overwhelming weight of peer-reviewed, credible scientific evidence, the ADA has long-supported community water fluoridation as a safe, effective means of preventing tooth decay.
As a science-based organization, the Association also supports continuing scientific investigation of the effects of fluoride in humans. To review ADA policies on fluoride and fluoridation, including its views on the NRC report and other emerging issues, visit ADA.org.