Press-Republican

Local News

March 12, 2009

Fluoride furor

Experts square off in Plattsburgh City Hall confrontation

PLATTSBURGH — A discussion over the use of fluoride in the City of Plattsburgh's drinking water turned loud Thursday night.

Dr. Paul Connett, an opponent of fluoride in municipal drinking water systems, and Dr. Robert Heins, a local dentist, got into a face-to-face argument in the rotunda of City Hall following Connett's 45-minute presentation to the Common Council.

"I don't appreciate being called dishonest," Connett told Heins in reference to comments Heins made at a city meeting last week where he called Connett a clown.

"I didn't say you were dishonest, but I am the one who called you a clown," Heins said.

Connett, executive director of the Fluoride Action Network in St. Lawrence County, showed councilors a number of slides that featured information against fluoride.

He claims that fluoride can cause dental fluorisis in children, which is the discoloring of teeth, lower intelligence quotients in children and can lead to hip fractures later in life.

"Fluoridation is poor medical practice, it is unethical and not necessary," Connett said.

Connett pointed to a 507-page study released in 2006 by a 12-member panel that showed the dangers of fluoride and the limited health benefits.

The fact that the study was denounced by the American Dental Association and the Center for Disease Control agitated Connett.

"They (dentists) know a lot about teeth, but I'm not sure I want to trust them with my child's brain," Connett said.

Connett said that supporters of fluoride usually refer to studies against it as "junk science," because they have no proof to debunk the studies.

He also said the dental profession is afraid of admitting fluoride is bad because they would open themselves up to liability issues.

Plattsburgh began fluoridating its water in 1956, around the same time that many communities across the country did so.

Councilors are considering removing fluoride from the water system and invited both sides to present arguments for and against fluoride.

Heins, who was joined by several other dentists and health professionals from the North Country, said fluoride does indeed help prevent tooth decay, and there are plenty of studies to show it.

"I hope the council will listen to the dentists and health officials who actually see patients every day in this community," Heins said.

At the regular council meeting following the fluoride debate, resident Theresa Bennett said she strongly supports the use of fluoride in the city's water.

"I see no reason why the CDC and the ADA would conspire to poison our children," Bennett said.

"I hope you don't give this (Connett's argument) equal weight."

E-mail Joe LoTemplio at: jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News
  • Governor visits North Country to promote budget package

    Delights huge crowd at Plattsburgh State in promising to continue reform in Albany. INCLUDES VIDEO

    Updated Feb 3, 2012 5:51 pm 1 Video
  • Boundaries may remain as is

    Franklin County has started work on redistricting, but legislators say the population probably didn't change enough to warrant a new plan.

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 2:16 pm
  • Marble River Wind Farm work continues

    The 72-tower project in the towns of Ellenburg and Clinton is expected to be operational in October.

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 9:24 am
  • New technology helps history, tourism, arts

    Adirondack Architectural Heritage in Keeseville hosted a presentation on using Facebook as part of marketing strategies.

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 8:29 am
  • Body likely missing Fort Covington man

    Dustin Trimm of Winthrop charged with murder.

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 2:28 am
  • Pipeline work on hold

    A natural-gas boom in Pennsylvania increased demand for specialized workers and has doubled the expected construction costs for the 48-mile St. Lawrence Gas line through Franklin County.

    Updated Feb 3, 2012 6:12 am 1 Link
  • Many agencies working together on waterway remediation

    In Keene Valley on Thursday, officials and citizens visited a cross-weir on John's Brook designed to protect both the environment and the bridge there from future flood damage.

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 2:28 am 2 Photos
  • Robert Russell to the rescue

    The 6-year-old Peru boy was recognized for thinking quickly to call 911 when his mother had a seizure.

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 2:28 am 1 Photo
  • Powerful savings— for now

    National Grid is ending collection of one fee and beginning collection of a smaller one, leaving residential and business customers with lower bills in 2012.

    Updated Feb 3, 2012 5:28 am
  • Appeal mostly denied for Tupper Lake man

    Travis K. Borden was convicted in 2010 of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old.

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 2:28 am
  • Sharing dough

    Students in Ticonderoga learned to make bread from scratch from King Arthur Flour's free Life Skills Baking Program.

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 2:28 am 1 Photo
  • City approves surcharge for dam repairs

    Funds will go toward paying off long-term bond for infrastructure improvements.

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 2:28 am
  • Car chase nets arrest

    Lance D. Lamora allegedly fled police in the City of Plattsburgh on Monday night; he faces numerous misdemeanor charges, including driving while intoxicated.

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 2:28 am
  • Of Interest: Feb. 3, 2012

    DWI crackdown runs today through Sunday; Venue changes for Crown Point meeting; Dannemora Village to work on budget; Saranac School Board to meet Feb. 7.

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 2:28 am
  • Westport Branch of Latter-day Saints closes

    Lack of members cited for closure; Westport members merge with Middlebury, Vt., ward.

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 2:26 am 2 Photos
  • February 2, 2012
  • Pipeline on hold

    A natural-gas boom in Pennsylvania increased demand for specialized workers and has doubled the expected construction costs for the 48-mile St. Lawrence Gas line through Franklin County.

    Posted Feb 2, 2012 2:33 pm
  • Strand Theatre fundraising on home stretch

    It has about $800,000 left to raise for the $4 million project.

    Posted Feb 2, 2012 10:40 am 5 Photos
  • Appeal mostly denied for Tupper Lake man

    Travis K. Borden was convicted in 2010 of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old.

    Updated Feb 2, 2012 3:13 pm

Recent Article Comments
Albany Round-up

Photo of the Day
Strange News
Videos: Editor Picks
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East 2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3% Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths 'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy? Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries