For 70 years, community water fluoridation has played a major role in improving the nation’s oral health. Because of the dramatic role it has played in the reduction of tooth decay, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) named it as one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century. Community water fluoridation is one of the most practical, cost-effective, equitable and safe measures communities can take to prevent tooth decay and improve their oral health. Water fluoridation’s biggest advantage is that it is the best method of delivering fluoride to all members of the community, regardless of age, education, income level or access to routine dental care.
The benefits of fluoride’s effectiveness extend throughout life, resulting in fewer and less severe cavities. In fact, each generation born since the implementation of water fluoridation has enjoyed better dental health than the generation that preceded it. On April 27, 2015, at the National Oral Health Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the final Public Health Service (PHS) recommendation for the optimal fluoride level in drinking water to prevent tooth decay should be 0.7ppm. For more information go to http://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/faqs/#overview5
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