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CDC Honors 65 Years of Community Water
Fluoridation
Sixty-five years ago, on January 25, 1945, the city of Grand Rapids,
Michigan, added fluoride to its municipal water system and community
water fluoridation began. Since that day, this simple, safe, and
inexpensive public health intervention has contributed to a remarkable
decline in tooth decay in the United States, with each generation
enjoying better oral health than the previous generation.
After fluoride’s oral health benefits were discovered in the 1930s, the
next step was to achieve optimal levels in community water supplies. Four
communities had agreed to undertake community studies, but Grand Rapids was
the first to begin implementation. After fluoride was added to its water
supply, Grand Rapids was compared to “control” communities with no added
fluoride, and a detailed assessment of the relationship between fluoridation
and tooth decay was performed. The National Academy of Sciences’ National
Research Council (NRC) reviewed the results and found a dramatic decline in
tooth decay in the Grand Rapids children. On November 29, 1951, the NRC
declared water fluoridation safe, effective, and beneficial.
The NRC also recommended that any community with a child population of
sufficient size, and that obtained their water from sources free from
fluoride or low in fluoride, should consider adjusting the concentration to
optimal levels for oral health. That same year, then-U.S. Surgeon General
Leonard Andrew Scheele gave his endorsement of community water fluoridation,
ushering in its widespread adoption by many other communities.
Since that time, numerous scientific studies and comprehensive reviews
have recognized fluoride as an important nutrient for strong healthy teeth
and as a safe, cost-effective way to prevent tooth decay. All residents of a
community can enjoy its protective benefit simply by consuming foods and
beverages prepared with fluoridated water. A person’s income level or
ability to receive routine dental care is not a barrier to receiving its
health benefits.
As of 2010, the benefits of community water fluoridation reached nearly
74% of the U.S. population served by community water systems. Although
significant progress has been made, fluoridation is still underused in many
parts of the country—only 26 states and the District of Columbia provide
water fluoridation to more than 75% of the state's residents on community
water systems.
The CDC’s Division of Oral Health salutes the dedication and perseverance
of fluoridation pioneers. Because of their efforts and continued support
from generations of dentists and other health care providers, health care
and public health organizations, community leaders, water plant operators,
and untold others, the prevention of tooth decay through community water
fluoridation is recognized by the CDC as one of 10 great achievements in
public health of the 20th century.
Additional Resources
Date last reviewed: April 27, 2012
Date last modified: April 27, 2012
Content source:
Division of Oral Health,
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion |
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