A controversial documentary about the supposed dangers of root canals sparked backlash from dentists and medical professionals after claiming that the common dental procedure could contribute to cancer, heart disease, and other serious illnesses.
Root Cause, which was picked up by Netflix in January 2019, quickly drew criticism over its unsubstantiated health claims, with major dental organizations warning that the film could frighten people away from necessary treatment. After dental groups pressured streaming platforms to remove the documentary and warned of the potential harm caused by its claims, Netflix quietly pulled it from its platform, with Amazon Prime also ultimately removing it. Read more about the situation below.
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The 'Root Cause' Documentary Comes Out & Sparks Backlash
Root Cause was directed by Australian filmmaker Frazer Bailey and was released in 2018 before being added to Netflix on January 1st, 2019.
The 72-minute documentary follows Bailey's years-long search for an explanation for his fatigue, anxiety, and depression, eventually attributing his health problems to a root canal he had received years earlier. The documentary argues that root canals can have much broader health consequences than dentists generally acknowledge.
It reportedly promotes the idea that bacteria or toxins can remain inside treated teeth and allegedly travel through the body, linking the procedure to conditions including cancer, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses. The film also suggests that extracting an affected tooth may be preferable to undergoing a root canal.
'Root Cause' Taken Off Platforms Following Backlash From Professionals
The backlash eventually prompted the major dental organizations to clap back at the documentary makers and streaming platforms.
The American Association of Endodontists, American Dental Association, and American Association for Dental Research challenged the documentary's claims and contacted streaming platforms including Netflix, Amazon, Apple, and Vimeo to counter what they claimed was misinformation about getting root canals. For instance, they stated there is no valid scientific evidence linking root canal treatment to cancer or other diseases.
After media outlets claimed the organizations allegedly threatened legal action in their letters to streaming platforms, Netflix ultimately removed Root Cause from its catalog in February 2019, quietly scrubbing the documentary from its website after the dental organizations' campaign. Amazon Prime initially continued to carry the film, but the AAE later confirmed that the documentary was also removed from Amazon.
