By Guy Page
A Vermont advocacy group is weighing in on a national debate over fluoride in drinking water.
The Vermont Environmental Justice Network is among more than 140 organizations supporting comments filed by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry opposing a proposed fluoride assessment by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
In its filing on the EPA’s Fluoride Preliminary Assessment Plan and Literature Survey, the dentists’ group raises these objections:
Mislabeling mild fluorosis: Says the EPA wrongly treats mild dental fluorosis — a cosmetic condition — as a toxic effect.
Reliance on disputed research: Argues the plan leans heavily on a 2024 National Toxicology Program report that failed peer review and includes non-U.S. exposure data.
Ignoring benefits: Criticizes EPA for excluding fluoride’s cavity-prevention benefits from its analysis.
Outdated methodology: Cites an incomplete literature review and lack of a transparent review protocol.
The academy is urging EPA to pause the process and seek an independent review, warning that weakening community water fluoridation could increase tooth decay, especially among low-income children.