Giving Perspective on the Recent Report on Water Fluoridation and Cognitive Impairment

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has named water fluoridation one of the top 10 great public health interventions of the 20th century.1 However, it has taken a serious hit recently.
The Department of Health and Human Services National Toxicology Program released a report, “Monograph on the State of Science Concerning Fluoride Exposure and Neurodevelopment and Cognition,” on August 22, 2024.2 Then, in September, a ruling came out of the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California that implied water fluoridation could potentially pose a risk to cognitive function via lower IQ.3
What does this mean for water fluoridation? In short, nothing. However, these documents will most certainly be obstacles for many hygienists providing clinical care. This is a familiar scenario in dentistry. We have combatted multiple claims, such as the recent study on xylitol and cardiovascular events and previous reports indicating that flossing isn’t beneficial.4,5
Nonetheless, these obstacles can be quite frustrating. Let’s discuss what these documents say and how we can discuss these findings with patients. The common endpoint in both documents is the concern for lowered IQ associated with fluoride ingestion. This endpoint is a problem, so let’s start there...
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The Department of Health and Human Services National Toxicology Program released a report, “Monograph on the State of Science Concerning Fluoride Exposure and Neurodevelopment and Cognition,” on August 22, 2024.2 Then, in September, a ruling came out of the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California that implied water fluoridation could potentially pose a risk to cognitive function via lower IQ.3
What does this mean for water fluoridation? In short, nothing. However, these documents will most certainly be obstacles for many hygienists providing clinical care. This is a familiar scenario in dentistry. We have combatted multiple claims, such as the recent study on xylitol and cardiovascular events and previous reports indicating that flossing isn’t beneficial.4,5
Nonetheless, these obstacles can be quite frustrating. Let’s discuss what these documents say and how we can discuss these findings with patients. The common endpoint in both documents is the concern for lowered IQ associated with fluoride ingestion. This endpoint is a problem, so let’s start there...
Click Here to Read More