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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (July 28, 2005)
BY KERA ABRAHAM Dr. Richard Gabriel, DDS, is a confirmed fluoridationist. Fluoride-sure D en ti s t fo r: 29 years O ff i ce i n : Eugene, since 1980 F ig ht i n ’ wo r ds : “We are totally miss- ing the boat. In Eugene, we have one tenth the ideal amount of fluoride available in our water supply.” FLUOROSPAR! Two Oregon dentists go tooth to tooth: a follow-up to last week’s cover story on water fluoridation. have fluoridated water, I took about four kids per month to the hospital for full-mouth recon- struction. But in 1980, after the city installed a fluoridation system, I was only taking one child per year to the hospital for the same pro- cedure. Oh, the shame! I’ll give ya this … Fluoride can be toxic in high doses. But with a caveat: We have nothing to lose and strong teeth to gain by adjusting our water supply to the “optimal level” of 1 part per million (ppm) fluoride. If I get my way and you don’t like it, you can: Get a reverse osmosis filter to remove the flu- oride and other contaminants from your tap water. Communities worried about industrial waste can get fluorospar from the mines in Colorado. Your solution won’t work because: It’s not enough just to brush with fluoridated toothpaste. Developing children need sys- temic fluoride delivered by the bloodstream to strengthen teeth from the inside out. And poor kids often don’t have access to fluoride sup- plements. Lesson from the trenches: In Pendleton in 1976, when the city did not Fluoride’s opponents are inadvertently caus- ing Lane County’s poor to suffer the most. In my career as a practicing dentist, I have never seen a higher decay rate than in Eugene, Oregon. It’s broken my heart, because tooth decay is a preventable disease. For the kids: I know many people feel that fluoridation is being imposed upon them, but the kids grow- ing up here don’t have a choice. They’re stuck with crummy, soft, decayed teeth if they don’t get treatment. Surprising concession: As consumers, we tend to abuse fluoride products. If we have fluoridated water, we won’t need fluoridated toothpaste — or fill- ings. Faith in fluoridation: I’d like to see fluoridated water mandated not just at the state level, but at the federal level. Water fluoridation is the most widely studied subject in the world. I am comfortable with fluoride coming from any source, because all I want is that fluoride ion. ew I’ll give ya this … Water fluoridation may have been helpful in preventing tooth decay in the past. But with a caveat: Fluoridation is now obsolete because Americans are getting too much fluoride from food, beverages and other sources. If I get my way and you don’t like it, you can: Get some fluoride supplements and fluoridat- ed toothpaste, and lower your sugar intake. Countries in Europe that do not fluoridate their water have the same amount of tooth decay per person as the U.S. Your solution won’t work because: Fluoride is quickly losing is stripes in the med- ical community because it is now ineffective, and dangerous to boot. I’m confident it’s only a matter of time before water fluoridation will be as common as blood letting. Lesson from the trenches: In non-fluoridated Lake Oswego, where I am a practicing dentist, I see dental fluorosis even among people who grew up in the area. That can only be explained by excessive fluoride intake from food and other sources. Oh, the shame! Fluoride is linked to (among other ailments) hypothyroidism, which causes lethargy and weight gain. Could pharmaceutical companies Dr. Bill Osmunson, DDS, MPH, isn’t buying the fluoride hype. Doubtful Dentist De nt is t fo r : 28 years O ff ic e in : Lake Oswego, for several years F i gh t in ’ w o rd s: “We should not med- icate people against their will. I think that water fluoridation is wrong, morally and scientifically. Medically, I think it is dangerous.” producing thyroid drugs be lobbying for fluor- idation? I don’t have proof, but I wouldn’t be surprised. For the kids: America’s kids need better dental care without fluoride. Cities that have had fluoridation for decades still have damning decay rates, while cities that have stopped fluoridation and increased dental health education have seen improvements. Surprising concession: If you came to me and you had a bunch of active decay, I would say you could use some topical fluoride because it would help in reducing the amount of decay. Topical fluoride is beneficial to a small degree. Faith in fluoridation: Dentists generally look at the mouth and they don’t look at the rest of the body. They believe what they’re told. Very few look at the studies. If you say anything negative about fluoride, you have very serious professional conse- quences. ew PRO-FLUORIDATION RESOURCES: ANTI-FLUORIDATION RESOURCES: • F lu or i d e Wo r ks ! www.fluorideworks.org • N at io n a l O ra l He at h S ur v e il la nc e S y s t em , F l uo r i d a ti o n D a ta :www.cdc.gov/nohss/FSMain.htm • Am e ri ca n D e n ta l A ss oc i a ti o n, Fl uo r id e I nf o : www.ada.org/public/topics/fluoride/index.asp • F lu or i de Ac t io n Ne tw o r k: www. fluoridealert.org • Or eg o n C i t iz e ns fo r S a fe Dr in k i ng W a te r : www.keepers-of-the-well.org/oregon • P ar en ts o f F lu o r i de P oi so ne d C h il d re n : www.bruha.com/pfpc/ Wellness Centered Dentistry, PC Darin J. Ward DDS, F.A.G.D. 300 Country Club Rd. Ste. 290 • Eugene, OR 97401 At Wellness Centered Dentistry, we focus on your overall wellness. By taking a holistic approach and arranging for health rather than merely treating disease, we offer an opportunity to restore your oral health to its optimum. We look at the whole picture, consider sys- temic health and underlying factors, and take steps to perfect your smile while pre- venting problems before they occur. Friendly faces welcome you in a relaxing, stress-free environment to ensure you are as comfort- able as possible. Call today and experience the benefits we offer with the extraordinary people and unique setting only Health Centered Dentistry can provide. (541) 868-2008 A CONNOISSEUR’S DREAM Eugene’s Best Beer Selection! 600+ Bottled Beers & Growing 10 Beers On Tap Select Wines Homemade Soups, Salads, & Grilled Panini Sandwiches 345 E. 11 TH AVE . • E UGENE , OR Everything Available On 541-485-BIER Premises or To Go JULY 28, 2005 13
