Community water fluoridation is a simple, inexpensive, safe and effective way to prevent decay in children and adults. It benefits people of all ages and socioeconomic groups, especially those without access to regular dental care. The U. S. Centers for Disease Control called community water fluoridation one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.

Fluoridated water strengthens the enamel of developing teeth before they come in, making them more resistant to decay. A 60 percent reduction in cavities can be attributed to fluoridated water, over non-fluoridated water. Fluoridated water reduces the need for costly fillings, tooth extractions and dentures. It is safe for people and the environment.

Water fluoridation is highly effective in preventing baby bottle tooth decay. For very young children, water fluoridation is the only means of prevention that does not require a dental visit or motivation on the part of parents or caregivers.

The average cost to fluoridate the community water supply is about 72 cents a year per person. Over a lifetime, that is less than the cost of having just one cavity treated. In the past 40 years the use of fluoride has been primarily responsible for saving $40 billion in oral health care costs in the United States.

During these times of increased consumption of soda pop and fruit juices, combined with a decrease in milk consumption, it is even more important to have access to fluoridated water to help protect teeth from decay.

Water fluoridation is an important public health measure in countries throughout the world, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Malaysia, United Kingdom, Singapore, Chile, New Zealand, Israel, Columbia, Costa Rica and Ireland.

Public water fluoridation is supported by the U.S. Public Health Service, the American Dental Association, the American Medical Association, the World Health Organization and more than 90 national and international organizations that recognize the public health benefits of community water fluoridation to prevent tooth decay. These opinions are based upon the overwhelming weight of credible, peer reviewed, scientific evidence over the past 50 years which shows water fluoridation to be a simple, safe and effective way to prevent tooth decay and improve oral health.