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 in preventing tooth decay. 

CDC Statement 

CDC has recognized the fluoridation of drinking water to prevent 

dental decay as one of 10 great public health achievements of 

the 20th century. Over the past 60 years, optimal fluoridation 

of community drinking water has been a major factor for the 

decline in rates of tooth decay. 

U.S. Surgeon General Statement 

“Community water fluoridation continues to be the most costeffective, equitable and safe means to provide protection from 

tooth decay in a community. A person’s income level or ability 

to receive routine dental care is not a barrier to receiving 

fluoridation’s health benefits. Water fluoridation is a powerful 

strategy in our efforts to eliminate differences in health among 

people and is consistent with my emphasis on the importance 

of prevention.” Vice Admiral Richard Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., 

F.A.C.S., 2002-2006 

American Dental Association 

Council on Access, Prevention and 

Interprofessional Relations 

211 East Chicago Avenue 

Chicago, Illinois 60611-2678 

http://www.ada.org/goto/fluoride 

Centers for Disease Control 

and Prevention 

Division of Oral Health 

4770 Buford Hwy, NE 

Mail Stop F-10 

Atlanta, Georgia 30341-3724 

www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/index.htm 

N a t u r e s W a y t o P r e v e n t To o t h 

Water

Fluoridation 

2006 
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Here’s Why: 

Fluoride is a natural element found in rocks and soil everywhere, 

in fresh water, and in ocean water. In fact, waters in and around 

the United States have natural fluoride levels that range from 0.1 

to more than 12 parts per million. The optimal level for preventing 

tooth decay is a range from .0.7 to 1.2 parts per million. 

Some communities are lucky enough to have naturally occurring 

optimal levels of fluoride in their water supplies. However, most 

are not. Adjusting the fluoride to an optimal level in the water 

supplies of these communities can help prevent tooth decay. 

Thousands of communities worldwide have reduced rates of tooth 

decay and improved oral health among their residents through 

water fluoridation. 

Studies have shown that water fluoridation can reduce the 

amount of decay in children’s teeth by as much as 60%. Today, 

even with the widespread use of fluoride toothpaste, mouth rinse, 

and professional fluoride treatments, fluoridation has been shown 

to reduce tooth decay by 18-40% among children and by nearly 

35% among adults. 

Over 405 million people in approximately 60 countries enjoy the 

benefits of optimally fluoridated water. In the United States, 

approximately 170 million people (about two-thirds of the 

population on public water systems) benefit from fluoridation. 

Fluoridation is safe. More than 60 years of research and experience 

have shown that fluoridation at optimal levels does not harm people 

or the environment. Leading scientists and health professionals, 

numerous professional organizations, and governments around the 

world support community water fluoridation. 

The United States Public Health Service (PHS) also recomm

community water fluoridation as a means of preventing den

decay. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC

with state and local health departments and water districts t

ensure that this health benefit is delivered safely and effecti

to the American public. 

Fluoridation benefits everyone. Every year, many city counci

health boards, water boards and voters take action to fluorida

their water supply. You can too. Community leaders have co

realize that fluoridation benefits their entire community—child

adults, and senior citizens. Community water fluoridation doe

discriminate against anyone on the basis of income, educatio

race. Simply by drinking fluoridated water, everyone in a com

benefits, especially those who don’t receive regular dental ca

Fluoridation is cost-effective. The average cost for a comm

to fluoridate its water is estimated to range from approxima

$0.62 a year per person in large communities to approximat

$3.90 a year per person in small communities (2004 dollars)

a lifetime this is typically less than the cost of one dental fill

repair one decayed tooth. Remember, when it comes to the 

of treating dental disease, everyone pays. Not just those w

need treatment, but all of us—through higher health insura

premiums and higher taxes. For most cities, every $1 invest

community water fluoridation saves $38 in dental treatment 

Through fluoridation, communities can improve the oral he

their residents and save money for all of us. 

The key points to remember about water fluoridation are th

•	 Fluoridation is safe. 

•	 Fluoridation of community water supplies benefits eve

•	 Fluoridation is cost-effective because it saves money o

treatment needs. 

You can obtain further information about community water 

fluoridation by calling your dentist or local or state health depa