Fluoride use in dentistry may be unethical, Australian scientist says; chemical regarded as toxic across Europe

• The use of fluorides in dental public health is an example of a class of chronically toxic chemicals that escapes the usual regulatory and assessment processes, avoids the fundamental principle of toxicology (namely to protect those at greatest risk) and violates medical ethics.
• Sustainability is the goal or endpoint (if there is an end-point) of the process known overseas as "sustainable development" or, in Australia, as "ecologically sustainable development" (ESD).
• This article focuses on fluoride, which has been largely ignored in Australia as a toxic chemical, because of its use in public health dentistry.
• In six countries - USA, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Singapore and Columbia - more than 50 per cent of the population is exposed to drinking water fluoridated artificially to about 1 ppm (1 mg fluoride per litre of water) by public health authorities.
• Depending upon the quantity of tap water ingested both directly and indirectly through food processed with fluoridated water, this results in daily fluoride doses approximately in the range 1.5-6.5 mg.
• The first of these is the principle of informed consent to medication.
• Contrary to the false impression created by some health and dental authorities, there is no scientific evidence supporting the notion that fluoride at a daily dose of several milligrams per day is a nutrient - indeed, there many communities around the world with much lower fluoride intakes who have excellent teeth.
• In Australia, NSW Health, Vic Health and the Australian Dental Association have also refused to debate Professor Connett and other scientists who are opponents of fluoridation.
• First published in the January/February issue of Chemistry in Australia a publication for professional chemists.
• For a more general and extensive article on fluoridation read, 'A kick in the teeth for scientific debate', in Australasian Science, vol. 24, no. 8, September 2003.