Education on the
benefits of fluoridation is a part of most, if not all, dental school curriculums. The American Dental Association (ADA)
has endorsed water fluoridation and fluoride-containing product usage as safe
and effective measures for preventing tooth decay. Efforts by the ADA, coupled with the efforts of dentists and other
health organizations, have led to a continual increase in the number of communities that opt for fluoridating their
water supplies.
Water Fluoridation History
In April of
2015, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services updated its recommendation for the optimal
fluoride level in drinking water to prevent tooth decay to a single level of 0.7 milligrams per liter of water. The
previous recommendation was a range from 0.7 to 1.2 milligrams, issued in 1962. The change resulted from the increase in
access Americans have to other sources of fluoride such as toothpaste and mouth rinses in the last 53 years. The
recommendation is not an enforceable federal regulation. Individual jurisdictions make their own decisions on whether to
fluoridate their community’s water supplies. Some states, however, mandate fluoridation for communities of a specific
size.
How to Get Involved
Community water fluoridation was named
one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century by the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention. However, there are areas in the United States that do not have appropriately
fluoridated water systems.
Chapters should research
fluoridation activity in their communities to determine whether they are
appropriately fluoridated. Chapters can work with local dental societies and state legislatures in these communities to
implement appropriate fluoridation in water systems.
ASDA’s Policy
ASDA's I-1 encourages the fluoridation of community water supplies at optimal
levels as determined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ASDA supports the use of fluoridated products
as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Resources
What ASDA Members are Saying