The American Dental Association (ADA) strongly opposes the dangerously irresponsible comments made by Louisiana Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham about community water fluoridation.
“As doctors, we pledge to do no harm. It is gravely irresponsible that a physician who has taken this oath would dismiss more than 80 years of evidence-based, proven research demonstrating that the amount of fluoride added to community water systems is safe and effective at helping to prevent cavities,” said Brett Kessler, D.D.S., president of the American Dental Association. “The data Dr. Abraham referenced is riddled with limitations, inapplicable to the United States and will do harm to Louisiana’s most vulnerable citizens.”
The ADA stands strongly with the Louisiana Dental Association, New Orleans Department of Health, and the other local pediatric health care groups who came out in strong opposition of this ban. Rural Louisiana residents are already coping with a lack of access to dental care. Fluoride treatments, tablets and toothpastes cannot replace the benefits that community water fluoridation provides.