Community water fluoridation is the single most effective public health measure to prevent tooth decay.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has proclaimed community water fluoridation as one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.

Fluoridation of community water supplies is simply the precise adjustment of the existing naturally occurring fluoride levels in drinking water to an optimal level. Water that has been fortified with fluoride is similar to fortifying salt with iodine, milk with vitamin D, orange juice with vitamin C or breads with folic acid.

Today, studies prove water fluoridation continues to be effective in reducing tooth decay by 20-40%, even in an era with widespread availability of fluoride from other sources, such as fluoride toothpaste. Simply by drinking water, people can benefit from fluoridation’s cavity protection whether they are at home, work or school.

The average cost for a community to fluoridate its water is estimated to range from approximately $0.50 a year per person in large communities to approximately $3 a year per person in small communities. For most cities, every $1 invested in water fluoridation saves $38 in dental treatment costs.

The American Dental Association has compiled this list of Internet sites that provide information on fluoride and fluoridation. By linking to other Web sites, the ADA does not endorse the policies or practices of, or opinions expressed on, those sites; nor does the ADA make any representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy of any items or claims contained therein. To request the addition of a link to your Web site, e-mail fluoridationlinks@ada.org.

The following links will open in a separate browser window .

American Dental Association
– Fluoride and Fluoridation Public Information
– Fluoridation Facts
– Fluoridation Facts—National and International Organizations That Recognize the Public Health Benefits of Community Water
– Fluoridation for Preventing Dental Decay

American Academy of Family Physicians
– Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
– Policy Statement on the Use of Fluoride (PDF file)

American Dietetic Association
– Impact of Fluoride on Dental Health

American Heart Association
– Fluoridation

American Medical Association
– Statewide Fluoridation Policy

American School Health Association
– Dental Health Education (PDF file)

American Society for Nutritional Sciences/American Society for Clinical Nutrition
– Resolution on Fluoridation of Drinking Water

American Water Works Association
– Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies

Arkansas Fact Sheet
– Community Water Fluoridation (PDF file)

Australian Dental Association
– Fluoridation (Fluoride Now)
       – Water Fluoridation in Australia
       – Fluoride FAQs
       – Fluoride Resources
       – Fluoride Links

British Fluoridation Society
– The Dental Benefits of Water Fluoridation

– One in a Million - The Facts about Water Fluoridation

British Medical Journal
– Systematic review of water fluoridation

Canadian Dental Association
– Fluoride FAQs

Considerations Re: Use of Fluorides in Caries Prevention

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Division of Oral Health
– Water Fluoridation

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/MMWR
– Populations Receiving Optimally Fluoridated Public Drinking Water — United States, 1992–2006

– Surveillance for Dental Caries, Dental Sealants, Tooth Retention, Edentulism, and Enamel Fluorosis—United States, 1988–1994 and 1999-202

– Engineering and Administrative Recommendations for Water Fluoridation, 1995

– Recommendations for Using Fluoride to Prevent and Control Dental Caries in
the United States

– Ten Great Public Health Achievements—United States, 1900-1999

– Achievements in Public Health, 1900-1999: Fluoridation of Drinking Water to Prevent Dental Caries

– Water Fluoridation and Costs of Medicaid Treatment for Dental Decay—Louisiana, 1995-1996

FDI World Dental Federation
– Fluoride and Dental Caries (PDF file)

Guide to Community Preventive Services
– Community Water Fluoridation is Effective in Reducing Tooth Decay (PDF file)

Institute of Medicine
– Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium, Phosphorus, and Fluoride

– Health Effects of Ingested Fluoride

International Association for Dental Research and American Asssociation for Dental Research
– Fluoridation of Water Supplies

National Academies
– Drinking Water: Understanding the Science and Policy Behind a Critical Resource

National Cancer Institute
– Fluoridated Water: Questions and Answers

National Dental Association
– Position on Water Fluoridation

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
– Statement on Water Fluoridation

– The Story of Fluoridation

Surgeon General
– Community Water Fluoridation: Surgeon General's Statement, 2004

– Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General (Part Four, Chapter 7): Community and Other Approaches to Promote Oral Health and Prevent Oral Disease

– Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon: General Executive Summary

– Surgeon General's Statement on Community Water Fluoridation, 2001

The Council of State Governments
– Resolution on Community Water Fluoridation

The Linus Pauling Institute
– Micronutrient Information Center—Fluoride

United States Public Health Service
– Review of Fluoride Benefits and Risks: Report of the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Fluoride of the Committee to Coordinate Environmental Health and Related Programs

Utah Department of Health
– Statement on Community Water Fluoridation (PDF file)