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Action for Dental Health

Fluoridation

Why We Need Community Water Fluoridation

Community water fluoridation is a public health tool that benefits the entire community by providing
affordable access to prevent tooth decay. It has been proven safe and effective for more than 70 years
and was listed as one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.
While easy access to community fluoridation has proven benefits, there are many reasons why
communities may not choose to fluoridate their water, including misinformation and myths about
current programs, and challenges ensuring their water is optimally fluoridated once a program is
established.

Action for Dental Health advocates for fluoridation based on evidence of efficacy and cost effectiveness
to bring the population receiving optimally fluoridated water to 80% by 2020.

Video: Why Fluoride In Your Tap Water Is a Good Thing

Cost Benefit

Community water fluoridation programs are one of the most cost-effective tools to reduce tooth decay
and puts the emphasis on prevention versus costlier dental treatment.

The cost of a lifetime of water fluoridation for one person is less than the cost of one filling; however,
the real cost benefit of fluoridation is the savings that can be realized by the healthcare system by
preventing tooth decay rather than treating it.

Community water fluoridation is cost-saving, even for small communities. The return on investment
for community water fluoridation varies with size of the community, and in general, increases as the
community size increases.

That's why the ADA and state dental associations are working with state and local governments to
extend the proven health benefits of community water fluoridation to the greatest possible number of
people.

Safe and Effective

Echoing the endorsements of former Surgeons General, in 2016 Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy
stated, "Water fluoridation is the best method for delivering fluoride to all members of the community,
regardless of age, education, income level or access to routine dental care. Fluoride's effectiveness in
preventing tooth decay extends throughout one's life, resulting in fewer - and less severe - cavities. In
fact, each generation born over the past 70 years has enjoyed better dental health than the one before
it. That's the very essence of the American Promise".

More than 70 years of scientific research has consistently shown that an optimal level of fluoride in
community water is safe and effective in preventing tooth decay by at least 25% in both children and
adults. Simply by drinking water, Americans can benefit from fluoride's cavity protection whether they
are at home, work or school. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention named community water
fluoridation one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.

A Mom's Guide to Fluoride by Dr. Brittany Seymour

Tools for Local Advocacy

Action for Dental Health works with communities to increase access to water fluoridation via state and
local support for dentists advocating for these services.

ADA's Action for Dental Health prepares local dentists for meetings with decision makers and provides
them with the necessary tools and information to guide the discussion.

The ADA joins with other leading health organizations, like the American Medical Association,
American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health
Organization, to support community water fluoridation.

Additional Resources

For more information on community water fluoridation, please visit Fluoride in Water.

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