What's being debated?

A quick primer on both sides of the fluoride debate.

Sort through the science

From the Front Line

Fluoride Varnish: What Parents Need to Know

June 11, 2025

Healthy gums and teeth are important to your child's overall health. This is why your child's doctor will talk with you about good dental habits even before your child's first…

Kennedy Vows a Push to End Fluoridation

November 4, 2024

If elected, Donald Trump is expected to give Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a leading role in overseeing public health policy. In a message posted November 2 on the platform X,…

Decision in EPA Case: As Flawed As the Analysis It’s Based On

October 4, 2024

On Tuesday, September 23, 2024, Judge Edward M. Chen of the US District Court for the Northern District of California ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must issue new…

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The Campaign for Dental Health (CDH) was created to ensure that people of all ages have access to the most effective and affordable way to protect teeth from decay — community water fluoridation (CWF). Why? Not that long ago, run-away cavities and gap-toothed smiles were commonplace. Thankfully, the past half century has seen lots of progress. Better dental care and widespread fluoridation have vastly improved our oral health.

But this progress has been uneven. Millions of people, especially poor and minority children, suffer needlessly from dental problems. Poor oral health leads to missed hours of school and work, more costly and involved treatment, and sometimes life-threatening infections. Community water fluoridation is the safest, most effective and equitable way to help reduce and prevent dental disease for people of all ages.

The CDH is a broad network of oral health advocates, health professionals, child and family organizations, and scientists working together to preserve our nation’s gains in oral health. Our mission is to provide the public and policy makers with the evidence-based information and tools they need to promote and protect fluoridation. Read more about the CDH here.

We encourage you to read more about how fluoride works, the debate over fluoridation, and common myths and facts. Find resources to help you act now to promote oral health. Learn and share accurate, science-based information about CWF. We have answers to common questions about fluoride and guidance on how to protect children’s teeth. Or type your questions directly into the search box.