Bill

1.  Yes, tradition is not scientific proof of safety or efficacy.  However, this is irrelevant to water fluoridation.  Let’s stay on topic, okay?

2.  According to the 2006 NRC Committee, the only level of dental fluorosis considered to be an adverse effect is severe. Also according to this same committee, severe dental fluorosis does not occur in communities with a water fluoride level below 2.0 ppm.  Water is fluoridated at 0.7 ppm, one third that level.

The only level of dental fluorosis which may be attributable to optimally fluoridated water is mild to very mild, a barely detectable effect which causes no adverse effects on cosmetics, form, function, or health of teeth.  It requires no treatment.  If you are invasively treating mildly fluorosed teeth, your state dental board needs to be immediately notified.

to be continued.......

Steven D. Slott, DDS