In response to the anti-fluoride content that was presented on the Dr. Oz show on February 1, 2016, the American Dental Hygienists’ Association is among the more than 125 organizations, including the American Dental Association, American Association of Public Health Dentistry, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and American Academy of Pediatrics, that recognize the public health benefits of water fluoridation, based upon over 70 years of scientific evidence describing the safety and effectiveness of this practice to reduce tooth decay.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, water fluoridation is among the ten great public health achievements of the 20th century. Drinking fluoridated water reduces tooth decay by 25 percent over a lifetime, and thanks to fluoridated public water systems, nearly 75 percent of Americans from all socioeconomic backgrounds benefit from increased oral health.
As such, the ADHA is a supporter of community water fluoridation as a safe and effective method for reducing the incidence of dental caries, and we continue to promote the education of the public and other health professionals regarding the preventive and therapeutic benefits of fluoride. Please click here for the latest guidelines.