The American Dental Hygienists’ Association voiced its support for fluoride after the HHS Department announced that the FDA would move to remove certain products from the market.
The HHS Department announced May 13 that the FDA would begin removing ingestible fluoride prescription drug products for children, claiming that these products were never approved by the FDA and that ingested fluoride has been shown to alter the gut microbiome. It also stated that ingested fluoride is linked to thyroid disorders, weight gain and possibly decreased IQ.
The FDA plans to conduct a safety review and public comment period before taking action to remove these products from the market, ultimately setting a goal date of Oct. 31 for completion of these actions. The HHS Department added that it plans to release best practices for dental hygiene in children that are “feasible, effective and do not alter gut health.”
The ADHA said May 13 that rationales for limiting the use of fluoride products should be based on scientific evidence, adding there is no evidence that low-level fluoride exposure affects the gut microbiome.
The organization noted that although hygienists are adapting by implementing alternative prevention strategies, these efforts could be thwarted by the limited access to dental care facing underserved communities.
The American Dental Association also pushed back against the proposed FDA move May 14.
