Does fluoride cause neurotoxic effects in humans? The importance of critically analyzing the scientific evidence / O fluoreto tem efeito neurotóxico? A importância da análise crítica da informação

ABSTRACT

The lack of critical interpretation of scientific information resulting from foundational data and evidence can jeopardize the shared decision between a clinical practitioner and the patient. This commentary analyzes the scientific evidence of a systematic review about the neurotoxic effect of fluoride in humans. The systematic review included observational studies from Chinese and Iranian populations exposed to a high-fluoridated water supply. The meta-analysis indicated that these populations had lower scores of the intelligence coefficient (IQ). However, the review is limited by the lack of methodological quality and the certainty of the scientific evidence. To critically analyze the evidence, we should avoid the "wireless phone effect" that considers the information without checking the original data source. Moreover, we should always base our analysis on the full text and never on the abstract alone.