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Academy of General Dentistry (AGD)

Based on the Center for Disease Control’s Recommendations for Using fluoride, AGD policy says when used appropriately, fluoride is safe and effective in preventing and controlling dental caries. Regular use throughout life will help protect teeth against decay. All water supplies, including bottled water, should have appropriate fluoride levels.

 

Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics (AND)

It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to support optimal systemic and topical fluoride as an important public health measure to promote oral health and overall health throughout life.

 

American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)

The American Academy of Family Physicians supports fluoridation of public water supplies. Fluoridation is a safe, economical, and effective method to prevent dental caries.

 

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

Water fluoridation is an equitable and inexpensive way to ensure that prevention of dental disease reaches everyone in a community. The American Academy of Pediatrics champions community water fluoridation (CWF) because it aligns with the AAP Equity Agenda. The AAP Campaign for Dental Health is dedicated to providing resources on fluoride and fluoridation for families and health professionals.

 

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) affirms that the use of fluoride in the prevention of caries is safe and effective.

 

American Association of Public Health Dentistry (AAPHD)

The American Association of Public Health Dentistry reiterates its strong endorsement and support for the fluoridation of all community water systems as a safe and effective public health measure for the prevention of tooth decay.

 

American College of Prosthodontists (ACP)

It is the position of the American College of Prosthodontists that water fluoridation is an effective public health intervention to decrease the incidence of cavities in children and adults. In communities where fluoridation has been implemented, the rate of decay typically decreases by about 25% in both children and adults.

 

American Dental Association (ADA)

The ADA recognizes the use of fluoride and community water fluoridation as safe and effective in preventing tooth decay for both children and adults.

 

American Dental Education Association (ADEA)

National efforts of community water fluoridation prevent oral diseases, deliver health care savings and reduce oral health disparities. ADEA strongly supports optimal fluoridation of community water. Community water fluoridation is safe, practical and the most cost-effective measure for the prevention of dental caries.

 

American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA)

See “ADHA Maintains Policy and Recommendation of Low Fluoride Levels for Caries Prevention”

 

American Dietetic Association (ADA)

The use of topical and systemic fluoride for oral health has resulted in major reductions in dental caries and its associated disability.

 

American Medical Association (AMA)

See “Water Fluoridation H-440.972” policy statement

 

American Nurses Association (ANA)

See Fluoridation of Public Water Drinking Systems

 

American Osteopathic Association (AOA)

See Fluoridation: Policy Statement

 

American Public Health Association (APHA)

See Community Water Fluoridation

 

American Water Works Association (AWWA)

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) supports the application of fluoride in a responsible, effective, and reliable manner that includes monitoring and control of fluoride levels mandated by provincial, state, and/or federal laws and which is subject to community acceptance through applicable local decision making processes. AWWA supports regular reviews of the most current research on fluoride and the positions of the medical and dental communities.

 

Association of State & Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD)

See Community water fluoridation policy statement.

 

British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry (BASCD)

The position statement considers the evidence for community water fluoridation in the prevention of dental caries and discusses the implementation of and support for water fluoridation schemes in the UK and abroad.

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

See “CDC Scientific Statement on Community Water Fluoridation”

 

Healthy People 2030

Tooth decay is caused by certain bacteria in the mouth. When a person eats sugar and other refined carbohydrates, these bacteria produce acid that removes minerals from the surface of the tooth. But fluoride can stop or even reverse the tooth decay process — it can help re-mineralize tooth surfaces and prevent cavities from forming. Adding fluoride to water systems is one of the most effective ways to prevent tooth decay.

 

Indian Health Service (HIS)

Fluoride use is cornerstone upon which dental disease prevention programs are built.

 

International Association for Dental, Oral, Craniofacial Research (IADOCR)

Position Statement on Community Water Fluoridation

 

National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC)

Partner Agreement with the American Academy of Pediatrics, Campaign for Dental Health, signed May 12, 2016

 

National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)

See “9 Reasons to Fluoridate Public Water”

 

National Association of School Nurses (NASN)

These members of NASN summarized the organization’s views in this article: Nowak B, et al., Advocating for Oral Health Through Fluoridation, NASN School Nurse, 2019

 

National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center (OHRC)

Drink water throughout the day, especially between meals and snacks. Drink fluoridated water (via a community fluoridated water source) or, if you prefer bottled water, drink water that contains fluoride.

 

Rural Health Information Hub (RHIhub)

Community water fluoridation is a scientifically supported and cost-effective public health intervention to prevent tooth decay. Water fluoridation prevents tooth decay by ensuring that teeth have frequent contact with low levels of fluoride.

 

U.S. Community Preventive Services Task Force (USCPSTF)

The Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) recommends community water fluoridation to reduce tooth decay (i.e., dental caries or cavities).