As a young dentist, I used to teach preventive dentistry in the armed forces. In the 1970s, I trained dentists, hygienists and dental assistants to promote water fluoridation as the safest and most effective way to prevent tooth decay.

Times have changed. After many years of reviewing the scientific literature on this and other dental subjects, I have joined the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, a group of more than 450 scientists, dentists and physicians from 14 countries dedicated to ensuring the safety of products used in the human mouth.

The IAOMT considers water fluoridation to be outdated, that is, ineffective in reducing tooth decay as well as being unsafe and unethical. Reports indicate that today, 83 per cent of all caries in children are of the "pit and fissure" type; they start in the natural grooves of teeth. These caries aren't considered to be preventable by fluorides, they are prevented by sealants.

Quebec children's teeth would be far healthier if the provincial dental program covered dental sealants instead of the proposed water fluoridation – 99 per cent of which never enters the mouth anyway.

The National Academy of Sciences is re-examining the fluoridation issue and should report in early 2006. Let's wait before we fluoridate.

Pierre Larose
Vice-president, International Academy of Oral Medecine and Toxicology
V. St. Laurent, Quebec