The American Dental Association asked the National Toxicology Program to base its statements in an upcoming fluoride research report on scientific evidence.
In a Feb. 7 letter to Rick Woychik, PhD, director of the National Toxicology Program at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, ADA President Cesar Sabates, DDS, and Executive Director Raymond Cohlmia, DDS, said they are concerned about the program's upcoming report examining whether there is a link between fluoride exposure and potential neurodevelopmental and cognitive effects.
In 2019, the National Toxicology Program released a proposed monograph that was found to include statements about the neurotoxicity of fluoride not supported by scientific evidence after a review by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.
The ADA is concerned about the inclusion of any claims from the 2019 report. The letter noted the CDC praised community water fluoridation as one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century because of its inexpensive ability to reduce tooth decay.
"Specifically, we ask you to exclude — or carefully consider how to characterize — any neurotoxin claims lingering from [National Toxicology Program's] now-abandoned monograph, even if placed in a forward or executive summary," the letter said.