HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, FLUORIDATION

January 25, 2016 marked the 71^st anniversary of fluoridation of public drinking water, 71 years since Grand Rapids Michigan was the first city in the world to fluoridate its drinking water.  Water fluoridation has been celebrated as a perfect example of an effective public health program---safe, cost effective, and equitable.

Statistics support the acclaim that fluoridation of public water supplies has garnered; for example, children in fluoridated communities have 2.25 fewer cavities on average than children living in non-fluoridated areas.  Additionally, acceptance of fluoridation continues to grow.  Studies made as recently as 2012 report that 74.6% of the U.S. population using public water systems had access to fluoridated water.  The next goal is to have 80% of public water system customers on fluoridated water by 2020.

In April 2015, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services updated its recommendation for fluoridation of public water supplies to 0.7 milligrams fluoride per liter of water.  The ADA and a variety of dental and medical professional associations concur with this recommendation. 

A variety of professional organizations have been advocating for fluoridation since its inception, and the dental profession has led this advocacy effort with support from the ADA and many state dental societies.  The battle is not over.  Particularly with use of the web and social media, misinformation about fluoridation is continuing to spread.  You and your staff are the frontline in the effort to protect the dental health of the American public through community water fluoridation.  You are the professionals most likely to answer questions from patients, individuals and organizations in your community, and legislators who will ultimately vote to accept or reject this proven public health boon.  Make certain you and your staff are thoroughly knowledgeable about fluoride issues.

For a variety of facts to pass along to those who ask and for information on your own community water fluoride level, go to www.COFluorideFacts.org.  Why this site?---to see an example of what your state or even your practice website could do to help educate the public about the benefits of fluoridation.  The Colorado Dental Association helped launch this exemplary consumer website in December 2015 to educate Coloradans about the benefits, safety, and science-based support for community water fluoridation.  Under the leadership of dentists and dental organizations across the country, a similar educational program via internet/social media sites could be implemented.  Such a widespread educational campaign would combat the misinformation that frightens consumers about the addition of fluoride to their community water supply and discourages fluoridation.

You can access the Center for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) government website to find the fluoride level of drinking water in your own community.  Forty states currently have local community water fluoride data available on the CDC site, and those states not listed should have fluoride information available on their state government website.