Arkansas, we have a problem! We have discovered a couple of misleading reports that were submitted during the 2010-2011 legislative session regarding information that was used for the water fluoridation mandate; so what this ultimately means is that our legislators were deceived when they passed the fluoridation bill ACT 197 which mandated that all communities in Arkansas over 5,000 people fluoridate their public water supplies.
Be sure to read the entire article to understand what actually happened during this era. Also, you will want to see all the players involved in this coverup!
Secure Arkansas’ Safe Drinking Water Coordinator, Crystal Harvey, and our State Coordinator, Jack Abrahamson, have been corresponding with Reginald Rogers, the attorney for the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), about the supposed survey/dental screenings conducted in three schools in Arkansas in 2002 (mentioned in our Rebuttal Part 4).
It is Secure Arkansas’ belief that these 2002 dental screening studies that were supposedly conducted for kindergarten students in schools in Morrilton, Arkansas, and Perry County, Arkansas never existed! We believe the data was falsified based on interviews from witnesses that were actually present at the time the surveys were supposedly conducted in each school district!
Witnesses claim the 2002 dental screenings/study never happened at Morrilton Elementary
Witnesses from Perry County, Anne Watson Elementary in Bigelow claim that no study/dental screenings were done in their school in 2002
Witnesses from Perry-Casa Elementary now merged into Two Rivers Elementary claim they did not remember any 2002 study/dental screenings done there or at that time
We have found NO proof that this study was ever conducted! If our fluoride mandate was based on a false report, then we must have the governor nullify and void ACT 197, and since fluoride is now listed as a neurotoxin, a call for a moratorium on water fluoridation in Arkansas is in order.
We recently found out in a reply to an FOIA to the ADH that they apparently didn’t maintain the records from which they claim to be quoting. We have asked for the ADH to provide the study that was supposedly conducted by ADH. It was never peer reviewed or published, either. Senator David Johnson used this alleged information to get Act 197 / the fluoride mandate bill passed out of the Senate Committee and in their ‘lobbying’ efforts.
In the Arkansas Joint Health Committee meeting on October 5, 2015, Dr. Nate Smith of the ADH testified very generally that a study was done in two communities in Arkansas (one fluoridated and one non-fluoridated) and claimed that there was a “50% decrease in dental costs in the fluoridated community”, BUT he never mentioned the names of those communities nor any specifics! Based on his vague statements, Secure Arkansas wanted to find out more information, specifically the name of the study and a copy of it in printed format. This is one of many reasons we contacted Reginald Rogers of the ADH. Here is the information that Secure Arkansas requested on November 10, 2015:
names of the individuals and organizations who participated in and/or conducted this survey. If this survey/study was peer reviewed please send publication.
all data related to this survey including the number of dental professionals that provide dental services in these 2 counties
any income comparisons of each county’s population
records of the dates these 2 counties were fluoridated
any follow up surveys done after the non fluoridated county became fluoridated
The reply we received from Reginald Rogers of ADH was: “Please find attached an article regarding what you requested. It was not peer reviewed. There were no income comparisons to our knowledge.”
A few minutes later, he emailed this:
“In 2002, studies were done in Morrilton, Arkansas and in the Perry County, Arkansas schools. The public water is fluoridated in Morrilton, but was not in Perry County. The kindergarten students in Perryville, Casa and Ann Watson elementary schools, all in Perry County, received dental screenings, as did all kindergarten students in Morrilton. The Perry County children were found to have twice the number of cavities as did the Morrilton children. As is shown in Table 1, the Morrilton kindergarten had, on average, 1.7 decayed teeth per child and the Perry County kindergarten had 3.4 per child.(59) See Table 1.”
= = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Secure Arkansas found that Table 1 above is from Fluoride: The Natural State of Water (pp. 15-16). Again, there is no proof that this study was ever performed.
Secure Arkansas has collected information thus far regarding the 2002 Study (see chart below) that Lynn Mouden is claiming has been done in Morrilton and Perry County. He was Director of Oral Health in Arkansas at the time. Mouden also deceptively reported: “The data is especially compelling because the screenings involved virtually every kindergarten child in the area.” (Fluoride: The Natural State of Water) This same article is being relied on in many different articles throughout this country and is sourced as one of the reasons fluoridated children have less cavities. (This is just another lie that Dr. Lynn Mouden has used and is still using to convince the world they must fluoridate the public water supplies).
To date we cannot find even one person that remembers any dental screenings or surveys done in that area of Arkansas for this 2002 Study.
Another reply sent by Reginald Rogers of the ADH was:
“I have attached a position paper from 2008 on this issue. It is my understanding that the emails (my third to you ) I have forwarded to you are all that we have in response to your FOIA request.”
Here is that position paper: Arkansas Fluoridation Paper
Then Secure Arkansas requested the raw data sheets that were used by ADH for filling in the data in order for ADH to come to the conclusion that fluoridated Arkansas children had less cavities than non fluoridated Arkansas children.
And Reginald Rogers replied:
“I’m not sure what you mean by raw data sheets. As you know, individually identifiable patient information would not be releasable. Further, Dr. Mouden left ADH several years ago. He was the one responsible for the study. However, I will check to see if anyone can find his materials but it is very unlikely. The study was done years ago.”
But the material Mr. Rogers sent in his reply to Secure Arkansas was a position paper and an article in the Arkansas Dentistry Magazine (which is associated with a trade organization) and not a state publication. Secure Arkansas mentioned that this was not the actual cited study and that the actual original study with the supporting documents was needed.
His final reply was:
“I have been informed that since the study occurred many years ago, there are no documents that can be located. That data does not have to be maintained.”
Later, on November 24, 2015, we also asked Mr. Rogers of ADH for this information:
*The source information leading to the above request was derived from a report put out by Arkansas Department of Health titled “Oral Health in Arkansas: The Facts”
The following quote is from page 2 “Oral Health in Arkansas: The Facts” by ADH:
“Two separate but parallel studies were conducted in Morrilton and Perry County, Arkansas. The data from these neighboring communities, on opposite sides of the Arkansas River, vividly showcase the efficacy of water fluoridation. In January of 2002, elementary school students in Perryville, Casa and Ann Watson schools received dental screenings at the request of the Perry County Hometown Health Coalition. In October of 2002, all kindergarten students from the City of Morrilton also received a dental screening at the request of the school. (Secure Arkansas does not believe the school requested the dental screenings since ADH never did this study, according to witnesses.) Comparing the data from fluoridated Morrilton to the data on the same age students in Perry County showed twice the decay rate for non-fluoridated Perry County children.
Reference: Arkansas Department of Health, Office of Oral Health 2002. (We are unable to find this oral health report)
============= End of FOIA of 11/24/2015 =============
Seems to us that if the alleged Perry Co. and Morrilton study was actually done, the ADH would be using it as major bragging rights. We can’t seem to find any mention of a study done in Morrilton and Perry County or anything about the 2008 survey which ADH seems to have no documentation on either. (See ‘past accomplishments’ page 6-9 of the below Arkansas Oral Health Plan). Yet, in this article they talk about the importance of gathering data so that Arkansans oral health needs can be addressed over a ‘lifespan’.
That begs the question: if this is so important, why did ADH not maintain all past data that has been gathered?
Arkansas Oral Health Plan 2012-2015
Under the CDC cooperative agreement, the Office of Oral Health (page 7 of the above link)
Created a state oral health surveillance system
Hired a 0.50 FTE epidemiologist for oral health completed an expanded statewide oral health survey of third-grade students in early 2002 (notice: this is not a kindergarteners’ survey)
Conducted a county-specific survey of 7000 students in 2003 and 2004 and 2010
Conducted a Brief Screening Survey (BSS) of Older Adults in 2012”
Page 8, on the bottom, the report says that Bigelow and other small towns passed ordinances or resolutions for fluoridation. Surely these towns all thought the information from ADH was the truth but actually started fluoridating over false or misleading assurance that it will prevent tooth decay.
Page 11, “The most comprehensive data on children were collected in 2010, when the Arkansas Department of Health’s Office of Oral Health along with its partners screened 4,239 children enrolled in public schools throughout the state.” We will ask ADH for this data soon!
Page 19, This is one of the information pieces that was asked for in our FOIA but not answered:
“I will also need all data related to this survey including the number of dental professionals that provides dental services in these 2 counties” If ADH had bothered to answer all FOIA questions asked, they could have sent the map shown in the above oral health plan.
Page 22 states: Recommendation 2.10. “Create and maintain an oral health surveillance system for use by policy makers and program planners to most effectively address the oral health needs of Arkansans across the lifespan.”
We felt it was important for your understanding to share some of the history behind the decision to collect oral health data in Arkansas. Lynn Mouden became the Oral Health Director in 1999, and soon after, he began building coalitions with other groups outside of the health department – all to implement mandatory water fluoridation. The first attempt at mandating water fluoridation was in 2005, which was not successful.
Arkansas Year 2000 Statewide Oral Health Needs Assessment Survey:
Page 2 states: “Because little data has ever been collected on oral health needs within Arkansas, the first challenge was to collect baseline data on oral health. With an appropriate database, decisions can be made to guide dental public health policy. To that end, during the spring of 2000, the Department provided support for a statewide oral health needs assessment. In addition, data is necessary for reporting to agencies of the federal government.”
“As required by the block grant, (Title V of the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Block Grant) Arkansas reports annually on eighteen national performance measures and eight state-selected performance measures related to maternal and child health.”
“During 1999, the Arkansas Oral Health Advisory Committee developed a plan to collect data on sealant utilization. This plan was expanded for the 2000 survey to include data on decayed, missing and filled primary and permanent teeth; caries rates; and untreated caries along with sealant data.”
“Only licensed dentists are allowed to perform dental examinations in Arkansas. (They have since changed this rule.) Although the 1999 study used eighteen different volunteer dentists, “The 2000 survey was conducted entirely by the Director Dr. Lynn Douglas Mouden, Office of Oral Health (Arkansas Department of Health) to maximize comparability of data. The Director traveled across the state during February, March and April, visiting all eighteen schools and examining 299 children.” What in the world is the oral health director of the state doing, going to schools doing exams by himself? Talk about being able to create biased data! It would be interesting to see how he was able to single handedly pull off a oral survey of 299 children! Getting the permission forms for oral exams signed by parents must have been a nightmare! By the way, we can’t find this data either…
The above attachments are from the ADH FOIA and the links below are the only places in which Secure Arkansas can find this study mentioned, and no one seems to have the raw data that was used.
Water Fluoridation Impact on African Americans and other Minorities
This report is not dated, but if you look at the references in the report, they make it appear to be published around 2007, maybe?
Kindergarten study mentioned pg.1
Successes Studies consistently show a marked decrease in tooth decay in fluoridated versus fluoride-deficient communities. These studies show decay reduction of 40-49% for primary (baby) teeth and 50-59% for permanent teeth. In 2002, kindergarten students in Perry County (non-fluoridated area) and Morrilton (fluoridated area) received dental screenings. Perry County showed twice the decay rate for non-fluoridated Perry County children. These studies led community leaders in Perryville and Bigelow in Perry County to institute fluoridation for their residents.
From first attachment sent by ADH:
Mouden, LD. “Fluoride: The Natural State of Water.” Arkansas Dentistry; Summer 2005; 77(2): 15-16. pg 15 In 2002, studies were done in Morrilton, Arkansas and in the Perry County, Arkansas schools. The public water is fluoridated in Morrilton, but was not in Perry County. The kindergarten students in Perryville, Casa and Ann Watson elementary schools, all in Perry County, received dental screenings, as did all kindergarten students in Morrilton. The Perry County children were found to have twice the number of cavities as did the Morrilton children. As is shown in Table 1, the Morrilton kindergarten had, on average, 1.7 decayed teeth per child and the Perry County kindergarten had 3.4 per child.59 See Table 1. See attachment for complete article
Fluoride:The Natural State of Water by Lynn Mouden (Former Director of Arkansas Oral Health, Arkansas Department of Health) ”There were two separate studies conducted in Conway and Perry counties. The data from these communities, on opposite sides of the Arkansas River, vividly show the effectiveness of fluoridation. In 2002, kindergarten students in Perry County Schools received dental screenings at the request of the local health coalition. In that same year, kindergarten students from Morrilton also received a dental screening at the request of the school. (From what Secure Arkansas has uncovered at the schools, we believe this statement to be a lie! The schools never participated in any dental screenings at that time, let alone request dental screenings to be done!) Comparing the data from fluoridated Morrilton to the data on the same age students in Perry County showed twice the decay rate for non-fluoridated Perry County children. These studies led community leaders in Perryville and Bigelow in Perry County to institute fluoridation for their residents.”
“Some people oppose fluoridation, immunization and other public health measures. This small minority has stood in the way of better dental health for many Arkansans. However, the 65-year history of research and practical application continue to prove fluoridation is safe and effective.” Remember, fluoride is neither safe or effective! This man seems to be continually manipulating people, facts, and statistics. After all, it appears he has clawed his way to the top by these deceptive practices.
Arkansas Report Compares Communities (2008) – This report by the Arkansas Department of Health examined the scientific evidence and oral health data that are the basis for the department’s support for community water fluoridation. Three years after this report was released, Arkansas enacted a fluoridation law. The report shares data from two adjacent counties—the fluoridated town of Morrilton (Conway County) and non-fluoridated areas of Perry County. Dental screenings of kindergarten students (see pages 13-14) revealed that children in Perry County had twice the rate of tooth decay as Morrilton children experienced. (posted or updated in 2010)
(Beware of this report; non-existent data and junk science was used. Some snippets are noted below in black font. Secure Arkansas comments are shown in red font.)
“A multitude of studies consistently show a marked decrease in tooth decay in fluoridated versus fluoride-deficient communities. These studies show decay reduction of 40-49 percent for primary (baby) teeth and 50-59 percent for permanent teeth. Similar data for Arkansas now confirm this.” Researching the other studies we found the percentages vary widely on the amount of tooth decay reduction.
(An FOIA was requested of ADH, and so far, they cannot provide the raw data showing how they arrived at the the conclusion that children drinking fluoridated water had less cavities). It appears that this study was used by Dr. Lynn Douglas Mouden to implement statewide fluoridation and used it as a trophy to land him a new job with a much higher position as Chief Dental Officer, U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Oral Health in Arkansas: The Facts
Two separate but parallel studies were conducted in Morrilton and Perry County, Arkansas. The data from these neighboring communities, on opposite sides of the Arkansas River, vividly showcase the efficacy of water fluoridation. In January of 2002, elementary school students in Perryville, Casa and Ann Watson schools received dental screenings at the request of the Perry County Hometown Health Coalition. In October of 2002, all kindergarten students from the City of Morrilton also received a dental screening at the request of the school. Comparing the data from fluoridated Morrilton to the data on the same age students in Perry County showed twice the decay rate for non-fluoridated Perry County children.
4. Arkansas Department of Health, Office of Oral Health 2002. We cannot find a 2002 Oral Health Report that has the kindergarten survey referenced in this article.
We believe there is NO mention below of a 2002 Kindergarten Study supposedly done by Mouden in any of the oral health reports below because it is fraudulent.
Oral Health in Arkansas 2007: No mention in data sources
Oral Health in Arkansas 2009: No mention in data sources
AR Smiles: Arkansas Oral Health Screening, 2010 Lynn Douglas Mouden, DDS, MPH; Director
Final Narrative Report State Oral Health Collaborative Systems (SOHCS) Grant Number H47MC01929-03-04
During the school years 2000-2001 through 2004-2005, the Dental Health Action Team has collected data on oral health and sealant utilization. See studies chart pg. 4
The Burden of Oral Disease in Arkansas, 2013 See pg 58. This data was requested in an FOIA “I will also need all data related to this survey including the number of dental professionals that provides dental services in these 2 counties” and it was not provided. That information is also in this article.
The need for Dental Education in Arkansas July 6,2007
Interim Study proposal for House and Senate Committee on Public Health, Welfare and Labor
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We also wanted to show you just how serious this situation is by sharing a few of the references from “Mouden, L. ?Fluoride: The Natural State of Water.? Arkansas Dentistry; Summer 2005” that has been quoted not only in Arkansas but all over the country! A lot of people, organizations, and governments have relied on this ghost study as factual data and have touted it to implement water fluoridation.
(After researching many documents, we believe the first mention of the 2002 Study was referenced in the Summer of 2005.)
Examples used all over the country in which this 2002 Arkansas kindergarten study has been erroneously cited can be seen below in the hyperlinks:
*Oct 31, 2005 -Mouden, L. “Fluoride: The Natural State of Water.” Arkansas Dentistry (Summer 2005) Vol. 77, No. 2, 15-16. Ernie Mueller is a former …
* May 3, 2005 – Governor’s Oral. Health Summits. ? Medical Mile Mural. Page 14. Fluoride: The Natural State of Water. Page 15. Education (Policy). Arkansas.
LOVELAND UTILITIES COMMISSION Special Fluoride Meeting September 30, 2014
*Sep 30, 2014 – 4 Mouden, L. “Fluoride: The Natural State of Water.” Arkansas Dentistry; Summer 2005; 77(2): 15-16. 5 Kumar, J. “Geographic Variation in …
National Oral Health Conference May 3,2005
Part of the propaganda that was used in Portland before the people voted to reject water fluoridation references Lynn Mouden’s article.
*May 3, 2005 – Governor’s Oral. Health Summits. ? Medical Mile Mural. Page 14. Fluoride: The Natural State of Water. Page 15. Education (Policy). Arkansas.
*Sep 30, 2014 – 4 Mouden, L. “Fluoride: The Natural State of Water.” Arkansas Dentistry; Summer 2005; 77(2): 15-16. 5 Kumar, J. “Geographic Variation in ..
A Summary of Key Sources: see page 8
Mouden, L. ?Fluoride: The Natural State of Water.? Arkansas Dentistry; Summer 2005; 77(2): 15-16.
We have just shown you many examples of how often this altered report is quoted. Read on to find out more news.
Shown below is an article written by Kathryn Lucariello of the Carroll County News. Click the linked title to read it in its entirety. (We’ve just included some important points.)
State oral health director challenged over comments about fluoridation
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Kathryn Lucariello, Carroll County News
This is an old story but it shows the amount of deceit that was spread by Dr. Lynn Douglas Mouden of the Arkansas Oral Health, Department of Health office. Mouden appeared to used his office and his power to sell his fluoride lies to the public. Dr. Mouden was the Director of Oral Health between October 1999 to February 2012. It appears that with all these lies Mouden used to get Arkansas fluoridated he was able to land a big promotion in Baltimore, Maryland area. Mouden is now the Chief Dental Officer, Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.
Dr. Lynn Douglas Mouden, Arkansas Director of Oral Health (Arkansas Department of Health) was challenged by Attorney Janie Evins over comments he made about fluoridation. A Letter was sent to Dr. Lynn Mouden from the Law office of Janie Evins that is dated February 19, 2009 demanding a retraction of false and misleading statements by Dr. Mouden. Evins received a response March 4 from Deputy General Counsel Reginald A. Rogers of the Arkansas Health Department. Rogers does not respond to the demands in Evins’ letter for proof of Mouden’s statements but merely states, “The comments made by Dr. Lynn Mouden . . . are consistent with credible scientific evidence. Community water fluoridation has been proven in scientific research and practical experience for more than 60 years in the U.S. as being safe and effective. While your client may disagree with some statements made, we base our policy on proven science.”
This is all about forcing water fluoridation and the people are not being given the truth.
– – – – –
*We find it very suspicious that Mr. Lynn Mouden ended up with a higher position of Chief Dental Officer for Medicare and Medicaid Services in Washington D.C. after he finished with getting the 2011 fluoridation mandate bill passed here in Arkansas. Remember, he was the Arkansas Department of Health Director of Oral Health before and during the water fluoridation mandate passage (ACT 197).
Freedom Of Information Act Request from Secure Arkansas to ADH – dated 11/21/2015
(ADH is in violation of this 11/21/2015 FOIA request. No response has been received.)
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Secure Arkansas has found a second report that was based on erroneous material! The PEW Report that has been so widely used is proven to not be accurate! Even the Arkansas State Dental Association (ADA) had issues with the PEW report. (see slide 2) ADA stated that six out of the eight benchmarks was PEW’s opinion with unproven efficacy. PEW had a lot of collaboration with appropriate state officials which resulted in erroneous findings for Arkansas. ADA stated that they don’t agree with everything in the report.
Arkansas Dentistry, Fall/Winter 2010-2011 “Change Is Coming to Arkansas Dentistry”
by Dr. Bob Mason. See page 21
“”On this particular report, Arkansas received a “yes” on benchmarks 5 and 8. Current Medicaid data shows Arkansas currently exceeds requirement on benchmark 4, but older data was used in the determination. At best, Arkansas should have received a “D.” Understand that two of the eight benchmarks are proven, effective means to improve oral health, fluoridation and school based sealant programs, while the other six benchmarks are Pew’s opinion with unproven efficacy.“ The Morrilton & Perry County bogus survey was quoted in 2011 when Senator David Johnson testified before the Arkansas Senate Committee on Public Health to get Senate Bill 359 passed out of committee, later to become Act 197. Another report that Arkansas Department of Health, Senator Jason Rapert and Senator David Johnson used to convince the legislators to pass ACT 197 was the February 2010 PEW Report which caused Arkansas to fail and receive an “F”.
Pew children’s dental initiative released The Cost of Delay. This PEW report used erroneous data. For the full report click here, and also see Fluoridation Advocacy Pew’s Contributions page 7-9. for details of PEW’s involvement in Arkansas. “Arkansas stakeholders laid the groundwork, but Pew brought to the table their own public health understanding and knowledge.” PEW graded each state on its policy responses to actions each State did to improve dental health among low-income children. The Partners of PEW appear to be in bed with the dental professionals and the oral health division of CDC in promoting the toxic fluoridation of our public water supply.
The PEW report has 8 benchmarks that were used to come up with a grade for each the state. Only benchmark #3 is for fluoride. The Pew Center released the study in February 2010 with the support of Kellogg Foundation and DentaQuest Foundation. Arkansas received a “F” due to two benchmarks using incorrect data. Per the PEW report, Arkansas only met benchmarks 4 and 8. If the correct data was used, Arkansas would have received at least a “D”.
The Arkansas Health Department (ADH) knew or should’ve known that the Pew data was in question when ADH and David Johnson used this report to pass the mandate, since it was called into question a year before ACT 197 was enacted into law.
Pew admits “After Pew released its 2010 report, Arkansas legislators enacted laws to expand community water fluoridation. The state senator who sponsored these bills specifically cited Pew’s “F” grade as the impetus for his efforts.” PEW tries very hard to cover their ‘mistakes’ 2 years after their mistakes cost us our freedom of choice of what we put in our bodies.
DentaQuest Foundation and W.K. Kellogg Foundation are both supporting PEW in their report. Check out their IRS filings below.
DentaQuest Foundation IRS 990-PF 2013 filing
W.K. Kellogg Foundation IRS 990 PF 2013 filing From IRS 990 PF – 2013 filing the following grants are shown: (some of these entities testified before the Public Health Committee supporting fluoridation)
The Arkansas Legislators, the Arkansas Department of Health, and Delta Dental relied heavily on misrepresenting the data in the PEW report that they must have known was in error to pass SB359/ACT197.
Here are the PEW report benchmarks: (Please note that only benchmark #3 pertains to fluoride)
The way the PEW report was rigged, Arkansas could only have passed benchmark 3 for fluoridation and still gotten a failing grade of “F”.
“There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true.”
— Soren Kierkegaard
So, public policy was set in Arkansas based on what we think could be a fraudulent study and a fraudulent PEW report.
______________________________
“Beware of the Half Truth.
You May Have Gotten Ahold of the Wrong Half.”
— Author Unknown
Stay tuned for more revealing truth about the topic of toxic water fluoridation! We’ve got more information which we can’t wait to share with you…
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Securing the blessings of liberty,
Secure Arkansas
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