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Water Fluoridation: a Response to Critics in Australia and New Zealand
Brian A. Burl BDS, MPH, PhD,
Eugenio D. Beltran DDS,
Brian A. Burl BDS, MPH, PhD
Program in Dental Public Health School of Public Health The University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Ml 48109–2029
Search for more papers by this authorEugenio D. Beltran DDS
Program in Dental Public Health School of Public Health The University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Ml 48109–2029
Search for more papers by this authorBrian A. Burl BDS, MPH, PhD,
Eugenio D. Beltran DDS,
Brian A. Burl BDS, MPH, PhD
Program in Dental Public Health School of Public Health The University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Ml 48109–2029
Search for more papers by this authorEugenio D. Beltran DDS
Program in Dental Public Health School of Public Health The University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Ml 48109–2029
Search for more papers by this authorThis study was supported by a contract from the Dental Disease Prevention Activity, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia. Send correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Burt. Manuscript received: 12/29/87; returned to author for revision: 2/26/88; accepted for publication: 4/20/88.
Abstract
Recent questions about the effectiveness of water fluoridation have come from Diesendorf in Australia and Colquhoun in New Zealand. This report examines the arguments of both authors in detail and finds errors in each. Diesendorf employed an outdated view of how fluoride exerts its anticariogenic action and took a number of quotations out of context. Colquhoun's data are questionable. Neither author has produced evidence to challenge the established safety and effectiveness of water fluoridation.
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