How To Contact Tooth Paste Companies

In November, 1996 the Colgate-Palmolive Company in the United Kingdom made a 'goodwill' payment of £ 1000 to parents after an independent specialist diagnosed their son as suffering from severe dental fluorosis believed to be the result of his use of Colgate fluoride toothpaste. According to his mother, "I always used Colgate's Minty Gel and the pea-sized amount as recommended. Kevin didn't eat sweets and I used to make sure he brushed his teeth twice a day. He used to swallow the toothpaste. I rang Colgate, but they said he would be all right." As reported in the British press, more than 200 parents are already attempting to claim damages from toothpaste manufacturers for similar problems.

This story has been essentially AWOL in the U.S. press! But--make no mistake about it--U.S. toothpaste companies are watching very nervously. Let your voice be heard! Call as many of the following manufacturers of fluoride toothpaste as you can and let them know that you have heard about the £ 1000 award; you will not buy fluoride toothpaste because you are concerned about dental fluorosis and other perhaps less visible signs of chronic fluoride poisoning; you feel the pea-sized warning is an obvious, if tacit acknowledgment of potential harm and liability and that the company should discontinue the addition of fluoride toothpaste unless and until it can be proven unequivocally safe.

Give your name and address. Be calm and courteous, but firm about your concerns. Rest assured, a deluge of calls from around the country will be of great interest to corporate headquarters! And, if you have time, you might also like to share your concerns with the American Dental Association (ADA), Public Information Department, 1-800-621-8099. ADA endorses all fluoride toothpaste carrying all fluoride toothpaste carrying the pea-sized warning.