rsw12

Survey of Local Dentist and Doctors Reveal They Are Poorly Informed
About Fluoridation Chemicals

One of the cries we hear from those opposing Measure A is to "ask your doctor or dentist", the
so-called "experts" about fluoridation. Well, I did.

Starting last week I called several doctors and dentists and I'm sure what I found out will surprise you.

My first call was to the Shasta Community Health Center (1), Headquarters of "Redding Citizens for Healthy Smiles." I got the Manager of their Dental Health Department on the phone, a nice lady who is a former dental hygenist with 20 years experience. I told her I was an "undecided voter" and wanted to know if the "fluoride" chemical the city was planning to put in the water was the same as that found in toothpaste. She told me she didn't know! We talked some more and I then asked if it was the same as that used in dentists offices. She didn't know that either. Then I asked if it was the same as that found in fluoridated bottled water which you can buy in any grocery store. She couldn't confirm that either but did inform me that the chemical the City of Redding intends to use is absolutely "natural" and perfectly "safe." She said it was not harmful in any way.

I was amazed that the Manager of this organization was so misinformed. Afterall, she represented the chief opposition to Measure A. Obviously, she never read the City of Redding Fluoridation Feasability Study, where it clearly states that they intend to use Hydrofluorosilicic Acid. This chemical is not the same as that found in toothpaste, in the dentist office, or even in bottled water. This chemical is a byproduct of the fertilizer industry and is contaminated with lead and arsenic. Even Assistant City Manager, Phil Perry, noted in his report to the City Council that "adding fluoride would increase the arsenic level in the water."

Next I called the office of Gus Petras, DDS (2). Dr. Petras is on TV commercials opposing Measure A. I asked his receptionist if the chemical the City intends to use in the water is the same as that in toothpaste. She told me she didn't know. I then asked her to ask Dr. Petras. When she came back to the phone she told me he didn't know and that I would have to call Marta McKenzie at the Shasta County Public Health Department. (Mrs. McKenzie is head of the Public Health Department.)

I called the Public Health Department (3) and asked if the fluoride the City intends to put in the water is the same as that found in toothpaste.The receptionist did not know the answer to this question and told me that she would have to ask Mrs. McKenzie. Unfortunately, Mrs. McKenzie was not in at the time. I told her I would be glad to call back later in the afternoon. When I did call back I was told that "the answer isn't quite clear" and that I would have to talk to Mrs. McKenzie personally.
How can the answer be not clear? It's plain as day in the Feasibility Study. Unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to call Mrs. McKenzie to have her staighten this out.

I next called Michael Figueroa, MD (4). Dr. Figueroa makes the statement in the "No on A" commercial that "150 milllion American's know better." (than what?) I got hold of Dr. Figueroa's secretary and asked her if the fluoride in toothpaste was the same type of fluoride going in the water. At first she said she didn't know then she said she thought it was the same. I asked her to ask Dr. Figueroa and call me back with an answer. I never heard from them.

I then proceeded to call all the other doctors in the "No on A" commercial and ask my question. Unfortunately, I could either never get through or I never heard back when I left messages.

So, if you are going to "Ask an Expert" don't expect to be able to reach them. And if you do reach them I can almost guarantee that they won't be able to tell you want chemical would be used for fluoridation. Local doctors and dentists have completely failed to do their homework. I can only assume that the reason they support fluoridation is because they think that the chemical to be used is the same as that used in the dentist office or in toothpaste. It is really a sad state of affairs when local doctors endorse a chemical they know nothing about. Furthermore, it is absolutely absurd that local doctors, dentists, and hospitals oppose having FDA approval on a chemical that everyone would have to ingest for the rest of their lives.

So when it is time to vote, Vote Yes on A. This initiative simply establishes safety criteria on "people treatment" chemicals and insures high standards of product quality. Afterall, if you are going to ingest a chemical for the rest of your life, you darn well want it to be safe!
Vote "Yes on A" November 5th 2002.

by M. Czehatowski, Chairman
Redding Citizens for Safe Drinking Water
October 10, 2002

Footnotes 1,2,3,4: How they Rate on Knowledge of Fluoridation.
All doctors and organizations called rate a dismal '0' on a scale of 1-10 in taking responsiblity to provide accurate information. They also rate a '0' in knowledge of what may actually go in our water.