This fact sheet from CareQuest Institute highlights the overwhelming benefits of community water fluoridation (CWF) to prevent tooth decay and reduce health care costs.
More than 75 years of research and over 7,000 studies demonstrate that, at appropriate levels, fluoride is safe and essential in preventing tooth decay — especially for tens of millions without dental insurance, who can’t afford care, or live far from a dental provider.
Leading health organizations support CWF, including the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics. A national survey of US adults shows 81% either support CWF or are not opposed to it (29%).
The authors write:
By improving access to community water fluoridation, policymakers can improve overall health, reduce dental disease, and save billions in health care costs.”
You may also be interested in:
- Study Shows Costly Consequences for States Banning Fluoride, a blog post with authors of a study in JAMA Health Forum summarizing their findings — ending water fluoridation could result in 25 million additional decayed teeth and nearly $10 billion in health care costs.
- Fluoride: Top 10 Questions Parents Ask, answers from health care providers to frequently asked questions about fluoride and community water fluoridation.
- Community Water Fluoridation, a collection of statistics and science-based resources on the topic.
