What Doctors Don't Tell YouI recently became aware of American research linking lead to tooth decay. The research does not appear to be well known in this country. It was only recently published in a medical journal (JAMA, 1999, Jun 23-30).
It reports that a ‘large cross-sectional study conducted from 1988 to 1994 included a dental examination and venepuncture blood lead assay. The log of blood lead level was significantly associated with the number of surfaces affected by decay in all age groups, even after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, diet and dental care.’
A full copy of the research can be found at http://www.jama.ama-assn.org/issues/v281n24/full/joc81529.html .- Wendy McLean, Dorchester
Daniel Redwood DC
Tom Ferguson MD
