“A significant advantage of water fluoridation is that all residents of a community can enjoy its protective benefit – at home, work, school or play – simply by drinking fluoridated water or beverages and foods prepared with it….Water fluoridation is a powerful strategy in our efforts to eliminate differences in health among people and is consistent with my emphasis on the importance of prevention…Fluoridation is the single most effective public health measure to prevent tooth decay and improve oral health over a lifetime, for both children and adults.
While we can be pleased with what has already been accomplished, it is clear that there is much yet to be done. Policymakers, community leaders, private industry, health professionals, the media, and the public should affirm that oral health is essential to general health and well-being and take action to make ourselves, our families, and our communities healthier. I join previous Surgeons General in acknowledging the continuing public health role for community water fluoridation in enhancing the oral health of all Americans.”

— Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona, Statement on Community Water Fluoridation

“During the 20th century, the health and life expectancy of persons residing in the United States improved dramatically. To highlight these advances, MMWR will profile 10 public health achievements in a series of reports published through December 1999 (Fluoridation of drinking water was chosen as one of these achievements and profiled in the October 22, 1999 MMWR). Fluoridation safely and inexpensively benefits both children and adults by effectively preventing tooth decay, regardless of socioeconomic status or access to care. Fluoridation has played an important role in the reductions in tooth decay (40%-70% in children) and of tooth loss in adults (40%-60%).”

— CDC, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, “Ten Great Public Health Achievements-United States 1900-1999”

“The Association endorses community water fluoridation as a safe, beneficial and cost-effective public health measure for preventing dental caries. This support has been the Association’s policy since 1950.”

— ADA Operational Policies and Recommendations Regarding Community Water Fluoridation

“Most recently, efforts have been made to summarize the extensive database (on fluorides) through systematic reviews. Such reviews conclude that water fluoridation and use of fluoride toothpastes and mouthrinses significantly reduce the prevalence of dental caries….Water fluoridation, where technically feasible and culturally acceptable, has substantial advantages in public health…”

— National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research

“The AMA recognizes the important public health benefits of drinking properly fluoridated water and encourages its member physicians and medical societies to work with local and state health departments, dental societies, and concerned citizens to assure the optimal fluoridation of community drinking water supplies.”

— AMA Letter to the American Dental Association

“Water fluoridation is a community-based intervention that optimizes the level of fluoride in drinking water, resulting in preeruptive and posteruptive protection of the teeth. Water fluoridation is a cost-effective means of preventing dental caries, with the lifetime cost per person equaling less than the cost of 1 dental restoration. In short, fluoridated water is the cheapest and most effective way to deliver anticaries benefits to communities.”

— AAP Policy Statement Preventive Oral Health Intervention for Pediatricians

“…Therefore be it resolved that APHA— • Reiterates its strong endorsement and recommendation for the fluoridation of all community water systems as a safe and effective public health measure for the prevention of tooth decay;…”

— APHA Policy Statement: Community Water Fluoridation in the United States

“…BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH DENTISTRY:
1. Reaffirms its support for the continuation and expansion of community water fluoridation; and
2. Encourages its members and constituents to be well informed about and to continue to support optimal fluoridation, and to help develop national and regional coalitions in support of fluoridation; and 3. Commends communities and states that are providing access to optimal levels of fluoride in the drinking water and encourages them to continue to fluoridate and to monitor the process, and participate in national monitoring activities;…”

— Adopted by the Assembly of AAPHD members

“The Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD) fully supports and endorses community water fluoridation (maintaining optimal fluoride levels between 0.7 and 1.2 parts per million) in all public water systems throughout the United States.”

— Community Water Fluoridation Policy Statement. Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors

“The International Association for Dental Research (IADR), considering that dental caries (tooth decay) ranks among the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide; and recognizing that the consequences of tooth decay include pain, suffering, infection, tooth loss, and the subsequent need for costly restorative treatment; and taking into account that over 50 years of research have clearly demonstrated its efficacy and safety; and noting that numerous national and international health-related organizations endorse fluoridation of water supplies; fully endorses and strongly recommends the practice of water fluoridation for improving the oral health of nations.”

— IADR Policy Statement Fluoridation of Water Supplies

“The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research continues to support water fluoridation as a safe and effective method of preventing tooth decay in people of all ages. Community water fluoridation is a public health effort that benefits millions of Americans. For more than half a century, water fluoridation has helped improve the quality of life in the U.S. through reduced pain and suffering related to tooth decay, reduced tooth loss, reduced time lost from school and work, and less money spent on dental care.”

— NIDCR: Statement on Water Fluoridation

Water fluoridation is the simple adjustment of existing fluoride in water to a level that helps prevent dental decay. The benefits of fluoridated water have been shown to reduce dental decay by 25% over a person’s lifetime. This includes both adults and children.