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Journal of Dental Medicine 1961; 16: 190-99
Prenatal and postnatal ingestion of fluorides - Fourteen years of investigation - Final report.
Reuben Feltman, D.D.S. † and George Kosel, B.S., M.S. §
† Principal Investigator,
Dental Research Laboratory, Passaic General Hospital
§ Chief Biochemist, Dental Research Laboratory,
Passaic General Hospital.
EXCERPTS: "Three different sources of fluoride were used in this study. The tablets containing 1.0 mgm fluorine ion from CaF2; 1.2 mgm fluorine ion, from NaF and 0.825 mgm fluorine ion from Na2PO3F, each. These values were chosen so that each tablet would contain approximately the same amount of the ion and to supply an optimum amount of daily dietary supplement.
The measured doses of these salts were ingested by gravid women and by children through their eighth year of life, or during the periods of dental enamel formation. These tablets could be dissolved in the mouth, dissolved in any liquid or could be chewed, depending on the individual's preference or ability. One tablet daily was prescribed.
There was no selection of the patients included in this study, they were all patients utilizing the facilities of the hospital, coming from all walks of life and all ethnic groups. The controls were patients chosen at random from the above group who received no known supplemental fluoride. The water in the study area is fluoride free.
... One percent of our cases reacted adversely to the fluoride. By the use of placebos, it was definitely established that the fluoride and not the binder was the causative agent. These reactions, occurring in gravid women and in children of all ages in the study group affected the dermatologic, gastro-intestinal and neurological systems. Eczema, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, epigastric distress, emesis, and headache have all occurred with the use of fluoride and disappeared upon the use of placebo tablets, only to recur when the fluoride tablet was, unknowingly to the patient, given again. When adverse reactions occur, the therapy can be readily discontinued and the patient or parent advised of the fact that sensitivity exists and the element is to be avoided as much as possible."
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