The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) strongly supports the recent release of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine’s (NASEM) final review[1] of a draft monograph published by the National Toxicology Programs (NTP). In its concluding review, the NASEM states that there is insufficient evidence in the draft monograph by the NTP to support the claim that “fluoride is presumed to be a cognitive neurodevelopmental hazard to humans.”

“The AGD commends the NASEM for encouraging further research and analysis on this issue to ensure that decisions around fluoridation are supported,” said AGD President Connie L. White, DDS, FAGD. “We believe that, according to generally accepted scientific research, fluoride remains safe at the concentrations found in optimally fluoridated water and is a community health measure that benefits children and adults.”

With a membership of 40,000 general dentists and dental students, AGD supports the positive impact of fluoride, when used safely and effectively, to prevent and control tooth decay. Good oral health is essential for overall health. The U.S. Public Health Services has established that the optimal concentration for fluoridation is 0.7 parts per million.[2]

Tooth decay affects more children in the United States than any other chronic infectious disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC states that, if left untreated, tooth decay can cause pain and infections that hinder eating, speaking, playing and learning. The problem is pervasive, with 92% of adults age 20 to 64 having had dental caries in their permanent teeth.[3]  This number has been found to increase when fluoride is removed from community water supplies.

About the Academy of General Dentistry

The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) is a professional association of more than 40,000 general dentists, dedicated to providing quality dental care and oral health education to the public. Founded in 1952, AGD is the largest association for general dentists in the world and serves the needs and represents the interests of general dentists. For more information about the AGD, visit, www.agd.org.

 

 

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[1] National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Review of the Draft NTP Monograph: Systematic Review of Fluoride Exposure and Neurodevelopmental and Cognitive Health Effects. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25715.

[2] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Panel on Community Water Fluoridation. “U.S. Public Health Service Recommendation for Fluoride Concentration in Drinking Water for the Prevention of Dental Caries.” Public Health Reports, vol. 130, no.

[3] “Dental Caries (Tooth Decay) in Adults (Age 20 to 64). National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, www.nidcr.nih.gov/research/data-statistics/dental-caries/adults. Last reviewed July 2018, accessed 21 August 2019.

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