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He compared media statements by McLaren about the cavity study to the paper itself, suggesting that she had overplayed its significance. The study concluded there was evidence of a negative effect from Calgary’s decision, but no actual proof of a causal link between eliminating fluoride and more cavities.

Take nothing that a forced fluoridation fanatic says at face value. Because they are bald-faced liars

Germouse’s advice: the university should fire her.

A claim that McLaren’s research had been “debunked” is one of the trending topics on the website of the Fluoride Action Network, the main U.S. force against fluoridation. It cites conclusions by its own research director that McLaren omitted data on cavity rates that would have neutered her findings.

But getting so much attention – and notoriety – within the feverish fluoride debate was certainly not what led her to the research.

Rather, McLaren says she had begun to sense a general retreat from mass public-health prevention measures — things like adding folic acid to flour to reduce birth defects or fortifying salt with iodine to prevent goiters and boost brain health, or forcing car passengers to wear seat belts.

I do feel like some of the media coverage made it out to be stronger than it was

There is a trend in public health literature toward more targeted measures, say McLaren, citing a resistance, for instance, to broad anti-obesity campaigns for fear they could stigmatize some children.

“It seems like this (population-level) approach is in demise … and I really think that’s problematic.”

The trend could undermine the broad societal support often engendered by mass programs, and risk passing over people who would benefit from them, she argues.