Water fluoridation

Prevention works

Advancing health equity begins with prevention. Eighty years of research and practical application have demonstrated that community water fluoridation is a valuable and beneficial health measure that gives everyone a fair chance at preventing cavities and tooth loss, regardless of age, income level, or dental insurance coverage status.

Research shows that community water fluoridation is the most effective and equitable way to protect entire communities from oral disease.[1] Water fluoridation saves money by helping strengthen tooth enamel. It reduces cavities by at least 25% regardless of age, income level, insurance coverage, immigration status and other social factors.[2] But this proven public health measure is especially beneficial for people who experience barriers to accessing preventive oral health care, including people living in federally designated dental professional shortage areas, households without dental insurance, communities of color, people living on lower incomes, rural areas, immigrant populations, and senior citizens.

Oral Health Watch supports community water fluoridation because preventing disease is preferable to treating illness. Click here to remind legislators that no one should be denied access to a modern-day public health standard because of where they live.

[1] CDC: About community water fluoridation.

[2] Cost and savings associated with community water fluoridation in the United States.