The students were attending a screening of “That Sugar Film” as part of their health studies at Thames High School. Beck handed out the leaflets as the students left the screening.

In keeping with the theme of the film, the leaflet appears to be about sugar and the current WHO recommendations to reduce sugar consumption.

But the leaflet then goes on to state that ‘Tooth decay is caused by an excess of sugar not a lack of fluoride’ and that ‘fluoride is a toxin’ and provides links to anti-fluoride websites.

This is shameless propaganda by Beck; This flies in the face of long-established research, including a recent study from Australia reaffirming the benefits of fluoride regardless of sugar consumption.

Beck’s targeting of impressionable students is particularly unsavoury and disturbing given that Thames will hold a referendum later this year on the retention of fluoridation in the town water supply.

The Royal fluoridation review commissioned by Sir Peter Gluckman and Sir David Skegg on behalf of several local Councils concluded water fluoridation at the levels used in New Zealand poses no significant health risks, and is effective at reducing the prevalence and severity of tooth decay in communities where it is used.

Anti-fluoride leaflet

Sources

Blinkhorn, A. S., Byun, R., Mehta, P., & Kay, M. (2015). A 4-year assessment of a new water-fluoridation scheme in New South Wales, Australia. International Dental Journal. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25913418

Eason, C., & Elwood, JM. Seymour, Thomson, WM. Wilson, N. Prendergast, K. (2014). Health effects of water fluoridation : A review of the scientific evidence. http://www.royalsociety.org.nz/expert-advice/commissioned-reviews/yr2014/health-effects-of-water-fluoridation/

For comments

Dr. Ken Perrott

Science advisor for Making Sense of Fluoride

ken.perrott@msof.nz

 

Featured image designed by Freepik.

The post Press release: Anti-fluoridation propaganda targets school children in Thames appeared first on Making Sense of Fluoride.

Speakers listed chronologically (thanks to Andrew Sparrow):

Dr. Robyn Haisman (RH), Chief Dental Officer, Ministry of Health
Dr. Felicity Dumble (FD), Medical Officer of Health, Waikato DHB
Jill Dibble (JD), Group Manager Rural and Community Services, Waikato DHB
Dr. Rob Aitken (RA), Principal Dental Officer, Waikato DHB
Dr. Pat Tuohy (PT), Chief Advisor Child Health, Ministry of Health

1. Fluoride Works by topical application to teeth. RH.
2. There is no known benefit of fluoride to pre-eruptive teeth. RH.
3. Swallowing fluoride toothpaste is harmful to health. RH.
4. Response to Paul Connett’s book, three key reasons they don’t accept the position that it is harmful. FD.
5. Lowest level they would consider beneficial. FD.
6. Level of fluoride ingested by one person would you consider too much, or a dose that would cause a poison reaction. RH.
7. Informing the public about the use of fluoride, how do they do that (not answered directly). FD.
8. Statement on the budget for informing the public (general statement). JD.
9. When was the last time the Ministry of Health or Waikato Health DHB carried out a comprehensive review of the literature, science and medical research. RH.
10. Information given to Hamilton parents, on the dangers of using fluoridated water for formula for babies. RA.
11. What long-term effect does the higher fluoride intake have on bottle fed babies, as they become children and adults. RA.
12. Upper levels of fluoride in bottled formula. RA.
13. Would more fluoride in the water give a greater effect. RA.
14. Fluorosis and the ongoing health effects. (important statement at 12:28). RA.
15. Effects on infant health, when using fluoridated water to mix formula. PT.
16. Response to low fluoride in breast milk. PT.
17. Statement on research of the health effects of long-term ingestion. FD.
18. Response to research from Ireland (the Declan Waugh report for Enviro Management Services) . FD.
19. Statement on research about safety and efficacy. FD.
20. Statement on the effect on pre-eruptive teeth. FD.
21. What do they regard as the safe level. FD.
22. Additional information about long-term health and behaviour effects. RH.
23. A response to Dr. Jane Beck’s figures. FD.
24. Statement of significance of caries reduction. FD.
25. Statement on reflection of diet and consumption of sugar. FD.
26. How Hamilton DHB compares to other DHB’s around the country. FD.
27. Statement on involvement in Weet-bix promotions and so forth... FD.
28. Statement on a specific picture of tooth decay. RA.
29. Response to comparison to non-fluoridated communities. FD.
30. Statement of budget devoted to programme. JD.

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