Diary dates p16 | Interview p20 | King Dental p29 |


News


Fluoride review finds no negative impact on health


No definitive evidence to prove that artificial fluoridation poses a risk to general health, says HRB study


A review of the existing evidence looking at the health effects of community water fluoridation has concluded there to be no definitive evidence of negative health effects. As a result of a request by the Depart-


ment of Health, the Health Research Board (HRB) looked into existing research on the impact of artificially fluoridated water between 0.4 and ı.5 parts per million, on the systemic health (excluding dental health) of the population. Dr Marie Sutton, lead author of the


report at the HRB, said: “Research specifi- cally examining the association between community water fluoridation and health effects is scarce. Most of the studies reviewed are not of a suitable design to


prove, or disprove, a link between fluoride consumption and negative health effects. “Two studies that we reviewed in non- endemic regions did suggest a potential link between fluoride and negative health effects in the areas of bone health (osteo- sarcoma) and thyroid disease. Neither of these studies has the methodological rigour required to provide conclusive evidence that fluoride was responsible for these negative health effects. “Having examined the evidence, and


given the lack of studies of appropriate design, further research would be required to establish any link between fluoride and negative health effects.” The president of the Irish Dental Associa- tion, Dr Anne Twomey, said the Association


would study the findings carefully. She said: “The review found no definitive evidence to link fluoridation to increased bone fractures, reduced IQ, cancer, heart disease, kidney disorders, Down Syndrome or increased mortality from all causes. In relation to an alleged link to bone cancer, it said the literature pointed to ‘mixed’ effects and no link had been proven. “The HRB review follows ı5 major


peer-reviewed studies of fluoridation undertaken across the world by recog- nised academic authorities in the past 20 years. None of these major reviews has concluded that community water fluorida- tion poses a known risk to general health or has suggested halting water fluoridation. “These, and other reviews which dealt


solely with oral health, show a significant benefit to dental health and through this to general health.”


Dublin professor inducted to Royal Irish Academy


ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT


A microbiology professor from Dublin Dental University Hospital has become the first academic staff member to be accepted into the prestigious Royal Irish Academy (RIA). Professor David Coleman, professor and


chair of oral and applied microbiology at the school’s Microbiology Research Unit, was elected in recognition of his outstanding academic achievements. The RIA was founded by Royal Charter in


ı785 and works to promote Irish academic research, support scholarships and to recog- nise Ireland’s world-class researchers. Professor Mary E Daly, president of the


Royal Irish Academy, said that all those elected “have made world renowned contributions to research in the sciences or humanities”. She continued: “Irish scholars are highly


sought after and are increasingly being head- hunted for top positions in leading universities and research centres throughout the world.” Other members who signed the RIA’s roll


book at the end of May included Steve Myers, who was the director of accelerators at CERN


Illegal tooth whitener pleads guilty in court


A Belfast man has been convicted of posing as a dental therapist and carrying out illegal tooth whitening in a case brought about by the General Dental Council (GDC). Samuel Irvine-Madine


Pictured on the steps of the RIA (l-r): Professor David Coleman, Professor Ruth Byrne (repre- senting the Provost of Trinity College Dublin), Professor Orla Hardiman (TCD), Professor Mary Daly, president RIA, Professor Jonathan Coleman (TCD). Picture courtesy of the RIA


when the Higgs boson was discovered in 20ı2; Martin Naughton, who is one of Ireland’s leading innovators and philanthropists; Orla Feely, who was the first Irish woman elected a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; and Bernadette Whelan, a leading scholar in the history of Irish–American relations.


pleaded guilty at Belfast Magis- trates Court to unlawfully holding himself out as being prepared to practise dentistry, contrary to section 38 (ı) and (2) of the Dentists Act ı984. He also admitted to unlawfully using the title ‘dental therapist’, contrary to section 39 (2A) of the Dentists Act ı984. Mr Irvine-Madine is not a qualified dental therapist and has never been registered with the GDC. The offences took place at


HD Smile Clinic, ı27 Shankhill Road, Belfast. Mr Irvine-Madine was fined


a total of £500 – £250 for each charge – and ordered to pay the GDC’s costs to the tune of £622.


Ireland’s Dental magazine 7


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