Is it safe? Green Bay dentist speaks out against fluoride after court ruling

GREEN BAY (NBC 26) — A Green Bay mother started leading the fight for a national ban on fluoridated water seven years ago, and now she’s one step closer to achieving her goal, but most medical experts say, “ not so fast! “

This debate is happening nationally, but it all started in Northeast Wisconsin.

Brenda Staudenmaier of Green Bay and her friend Karen Favazza-Spencer say they celebrated when a California judge ruled that the EPA must find out more about fluoride and investigate whether it is harmful to consume.

A US District Court judge in California ruled that the EPA must now take steps to review fluoride in the water, citing a study by the National Institute of Toxicology.

The judge says “There is substantial and scientifically reliable evidence that fluoride poses a risk to human health.”

The study shows that while higher levels of fluoride exposure are associated with lower IQ in children, there is insufficient data to determine whether lower levels in the US water supply have a negative impact.

“What was your initial reaction after you heard the judge make that decision,” MacLeod asked.

“I probably can’t say it on air, but I was pretty happy and cried a lot,” Staudenmaier said.

“The judge made the right scientific, ethical and legal decision,” added Food and Water Watch spokeswoman Karen Favazza-Spencer.

In Wisconsin, some dentists agree with Staudenmaier and Favazza-Spencer.

“It’s an ineffective means of preventing tooth decay, and it does have consequences that are very far-reaching and very harmful,” said a dentist in northeastern Wisconsin who spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid retaliation.

“It’s absolutely terrible. The reason I’m here is because I care about our children, I care about our community, I care about the poor state of our health that is so evident,” added this unnamed dentist.

Following the California court’s ruling, the American Academy of Pediatrics says it is still maintaining low levels of fluoride in toothpaste and drinking water, as companies and experts have said for years.

Most dentists at the local, state and even national level still agree with research that dates back 70 years.

“I tell people that fluoride treatments are one of the best things we can do to reduce tooth decay in both children and adults,” said Crowley team dentist Dr. Kirby Hoerning of Green Bay.

“We feel very strongly as an organization that fluoridation is very important for the community’s water supply and for their offices to use,” said Wisconsin Dental Association President Dr. Chris Hansen.

Even the American Dental Association released a statement saying, “The district court’s ruling against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides no scientific basis for the ADA to change its support of community water fluoridation as safe and beneficial. for oral health”.

After calling, texting and emailing, EPA spokesman Jeff Landis issued this statement in response to the judge’s decision.

“While the decision finds a sufficient risk to trigger regulation under the Toxic Substances Control Act, it is important to note that the court did not ‘conclude with certainty that fluoridated water is harmful to public health,'” Landis said.

In Green Bay, city leaders say they plan to continue fluoridating water unless the EPA finds evidence that fluoride is unsafe.

“We’ll wait and see what that regulatory action is,” said Green Bay Water Utility General Manager Brian Powell.

Powell says the city follows the Environmental Protection Agency’s guidance that fluoridated water is safe unless experts find reason to believe otherwise.

“There are new tests that are always being done to learn things, and when things are learned, we will follow that science,” Powell said.

However, Staudenmaier and the unnamed dentist believe the science is already there.

“Do you feel that communities should continue to fluoridate their water,” MacLeod asked.

“The studies are very statistically significant, implying that fluoride actually lowers IQ levels,” said the unnamed dentist.

“It’s outdated and we have to change with the times,” Staudenmaier said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 62% of the American population receives fluoridated water, and you can see if your community is on that list here.