 Overview
For over five decades, the American Dental Association has continuously endorsed the fluoridation of community water supplies and the use of fluoride-containing products as safe and effective measures for preventing tooth decay. Fluoride and Fluoridation contains resources that provide important facts and answer a myriad of questions. New information and resources will be added to this area as they become available. In the following sections, you will find the latest information about fluoride and fluoridation.
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ADA Fluoridation Resources
ADA’s Community Water Fluoridation Resource List
This listing includes items available from the Council on Access, Prevention and Interprofessional Relations and the ADA Catalog designed to assist communities in fluoridation efforts. From manuals, to videos, to electronic presentations and continuing education programs–it’s all here!
- ADA’s Community Water Fluoridation Resource List | PDF file/32k
Fluoridation Facts
Fluoridation Facts contains answers to frequently asked questions regarding community water fluoridation. This 71-page booklet is a comprehensive encyclopedia of fluoridation facts with over 350 scientific references. Fluoridation Facts includes information from scientific research in an easy to use question and answer format on the topics of effectiveness, safety, practice and cost-effectiveness of fluoridation. Additionally, the booklet contains a Compendium of more than 125 "National and International Organizations That Recognize the Public Health Benefits of Community Water Fluoridation for Preventing Dental Decay."
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ADA Policies and Statements
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ADA
News
- Fluoride supplements get EBD look (Sep.11, 2008)
- Louisiana law clears path for fluoridation (July 31, 2008)
- CDC reports increased access to community water fluoridation (July 10, 2008)
- San Diego authorizes community water fluoridation (June 11, 2008)
- Fluoridation considered by policymakers, voters (May 20, 2008)
- Water quality reports for consumers in the mail (May 5, 2008)
- Stuart voters OK fluoridation (Feb. 20, 2008)
- Fluoride report in Scientific American (Dec.17, 2007)
- Fluoridated water comes to 18 million southern Californians (Dec. 11, 2007)
- Steel Water (Sept.18, 2007)
- Grand Rapids sculpture marks fluoridation first (Aug.1, 2007)
- ADA offers new advice on mouthrinses, toothpastes (May 18, 2007)
- ADA topical fluoride recommendations gain visibility (Mar. 29, 2007)
- Fluoridation victories: Campaigns spur local coalitions across the nation
(Dec. 12, 2006)
- Global panel issues fluoride call to action (Dec. 8, 2006)
- ADA offers interim guidance on infant formula and fluoride (Nov. 9, 2006)
- FDA approves dental health claim for fluoridated bottled water (Oct. 20, 2006)
- Resolution encourages states to fluoridate (June 9, 2006)
- Naturally occurring fluoride scrutinized in report for EPA (Mar. 22, 2006)
- Vermont fluoridation victories (Mar. 21, 2006)
- Fluoride varnish may help prevent early childhood caries (Mar.
16, 2006)
- Fluoridation victory (Feb.15, 2006)
- Michigan
town votes to
return fluoridation (Nov.
30, 2005)
- Appeals
court affirms Escondido
fluoridation (Sep.
6, 2005)
- CDC,
NIH report improvements
in American oral
health (Aug.26,
2005)
- ADA,
CDC offer fluoridation
resources (Aug.
11, 2005)
- Fluoridation:
all smiles (Aug.
8,
2005)
- Party
in the Park: ADA,
CDC celebrate 60
years of community
water fluoridation
(July
18, 2005)
- Colorado
coalition results
in win for fluoridation (May
4, 2005)
- Celebrating 60 years of water fluoridation (Jan. 20, 2005)
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The Journal of the American Dental Association
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Emerging
Issues (Updated 06/19/08)
Items in this section address emerging issues related to community water fluoridation.
Fluoride Intake and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
New information on fluoride intake and chronic kidney disease is available from the National Kidney Foundation and Kidney Health Australia.
National Kidney Foundation
On its newly revised Fluoride Web page, NKF notes, “The benefits of water and dental products containing fluoride is the prevention of tooth decay and dental cavities in people of all ages.” In discussing potential health risks NKF states, “The risk is likely greatest in areas with naturally high water fluoride levels.” Due to the limited available research on the topic, NKF has not issued specific recommendations regarding fluoride intake and kidney disease and currently has no official position on the optimal fluoridation of water. NKF recommends that “Dietary advice for patients with CKD should primarily focus on established recommendations for sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, energy/calorie, protein, fat, and carbohydrate intake. Fluoride intake is a secondary concern.”
Kidney Health Australia
In a position statement issued in March 2007, Kidney Health Australia concluded 1) there is no evidence that consumption of optimally fluoridated drinking water increases the risk of developing CKD, although only limited studies addressing this issue are available; and 2) there is no evidence that the consumption of optimally fluoridated drinking water poses any risks for people with CKD, although only limited studies addressing this issue are available.
Infants, Fluoride and Bottled Water
FDA Health Claim for Fluoridated Water
National Academies
National Research Council's Report on Fluoride
Water Fluoridation and Bone Cancer
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Additional
Resources
Nature's Way to Prevent Tooth Decay— Water Fluoridation
Written as a collaborative effort between the American Dental Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Division of Oral Health, this two-page pamphlet delivers short and memorable points regarding community water fluoridation. Please note, because this pamphlet is not copyrighted it can be tailored to each community's need by inserting local contact information on the backside and then copied (black and white or color) for distribution. It is available in English and Spanish.
Fluoridation Ordinance—Suggested Provisions
This document contains suggested elements that provide a starting point for communities looking to enact a fluoridation ordinance. Be sure to consult with an attorney as you finalize your local ordinance.
- View Fluoridation Ordinance—Suggested Provisions | PDF file/13k
Statements from Six Leading Health Authorities Regarding Community Water Fluoridation
This one-page item encapsulates the statements on fluoridation made by ADA, AMA, CDC, NIDCR, US Surgeon General, and WHO.
- View Statements from Six Leading Health Authorities Regarding Community Water Fluoridation | PDF file/32k
Internet Resources on Fluoride and Fluoridation
The ADA Council on Access, Prevention and Interprofessional Relations has compiled a list of non-ADA Internet sites that provide information on fluoride and fluoridation issues.
ADA News Releases
Media Press Kit: Fluoridation
Our electronic press kits combine text, video and other images into one, easy-to-navigate format.
A-Z Topic: Science in the News
Evidence-based Clinical Recommendations
- Professionally-Applied Topical Fluoride | PDF file/80k
- Professionally-Applied Topical Fluoride (Executive Summary) | PDF file/40k
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