About Community Water Fluoridation
For more than 75 years, community water fluoridation (CWF) has been widely recognized as a safe and effective public health intervention to prevent tooth decay. Fluoride inhibits the breakdown of enamel and enhances its resistance to tooth decay. Communities across the United States, and worldwide, adjust the fluoride concentration in their public water supply to the optimal level of 0.7 ppm for tooth decay prevention as recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service.
Focusing on prevention is important for individuals to avoid oral disease. The point of CWF is to reach those individuals that do not regularly visit a physician or dental provider or those that do not have access to supplements or preventive treatments. CWF is a safe and effective public health practice to provide the benefits of fluoride to all residents regardless of income, insurance status, and ability to access oral health care. Every major public health and medical organization, and over 2000 studies and peer-reviewed papers, support the benefits and safety of CWF in preventing tooth decay. This includes the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the past five U.S. Surgeon Generals.
PCOH strongly supports community water fluoridation as a safe, cost effective, and proven practice that promotes good oral health within our communities.
PCOH is encouraging Pennsylvanians to thank water systems for delivering safe drinking water to homes, schools, child care centers, restaurants, and businesses. Regardless of the fluoridation status of a water system, water operators do an essential job of providing safe drinking water. PCOH will provide blank thank you notes, envelopes, and a prepaid envelope to return notes back. From there, PCOH will address the note and send it on to the water system. Click here to request thank you notes.
PCOH is proud to be the Pennsylvania affiliate of the American Fluoridation Society.
Fluoride Resources
- All
- For Community Advocates
- For Decision Makers
- For Everyone
- For Water Operators
Community water fluoridation and the integrity of equitable public health infrastructure
ADA article about the integrity of public health infrastructure in regards to community water fluoridation | For Community Advocates, For Decision Makers, For EveryoneHow to Read a Study about Fluoride or Fluoridation
Guide created by the American Fluoridation Society for non-experts to read and understand fluoride/fluoridation studies. | For Community Advocates, For EveryoneFluoride Fact Sheet for Consumers (in Spanish)- National Institutes of Health
Spanish version of resource answering common questions consumers have about fluoride and fluoridation. | For EveryoneFluoride Fact Sheet for Consumers – National Institutes of Health
Document answers common questions consumers have about fluoride and fluoridation. | For EveryoneAll About Fluoride – American Dental Association (2020)
One Page fact sheet about fluoride and CWF | For EveryoneMeet John & Joe – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Flyer expressing thanks to water operators | For Water OperatorsLeading Health Experts Agree – American Fluoridation Society
Compilation of statements from leading health organizations supporting community water fluoridation as safe and effective | For Water OperatorsFluoridation Information to Help Answer Customer Questions A Resource for Water Utilities – American Academy of Pediatrics
Brief responses to common questions water utilities may receive about community water fluoridation. | For Water OperatorsFluoridation Learning Online (FLO) – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Information about CDC's free online course desgined to build the capability of state fluoridation programs, and to help increase knowledge and refine skills to implement and maintain community water fluoridation. | For Water OperatorsFluoridation Status of Community Water Systems in PA Featuring County Lines – PCOH (2020)
Map of Pennsylvania water systems showing fluoridation status. | For Community AdvocatesResponses to Misconceptions About Community Water Fluoridation – American Dental Association (2012)
Provides brief, factual clarifications to common misonceptions about CWF, including fluorosis, infant formula, IQ, and more. | For Community AdvocatesWhat Critics Say & What the Facts Say – Children’s Dental Health Project
Provides examples of what critics say, followed up with what the facts say, including resourceful links. | For Community AdvocatesCommunities Benefit from Community Water Fluoridation – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Colorful flyer illustrating that water is safe, effective, and saves communities money. | For Community AdvocatesInfo Brief: Advocating for Community Water Fluoridation – PCOH (August 2020)
Informational brief | For Community AdvocatesStatewide Water Action Team (SWAT) – PCOH
Letter to join the Statewide Water Action Team (SWAT) to prevent CWF rollbacks. | For Community AdvocatesConsequences of community water fluoridation cessation for Medicaid-eligible children and adolescents in Juneau, Alaska – BMC Oral Health (2018)
Research article expanding our understanding of whether cessation of community water fluoridation increased oral health disparities, as measured by dental caries procedures and restoration costs for children and adolescents. | For Decision MakersAround the Globe, Researchers Recognize That Fluoridation Is a Safe – American Fluoridation Society
Excerpts from studies conducted around the world reaffirming that water fluoridation is safe and affective. | For Decision MakersCommunity Water Fluoridation Talking Points – Pennsylvania Dental Association
Brief talking points in support of CWF | For Decision MakersFluoridation Facts – American Dental Association (2018)
Answers to frequently asked questions regarding community water fluoridation that are offered to assist policy makers and the general public in making informed decisions. | For Decision Makers10 Reasons to Fluoridate Public Water – American Dental Association (2013)
Brief talking points in support of CWF | For Decision MakersProtect Fluoride in Pennsylvania
Interested in advocating for community water fluoridation in your community? Contact nicole@paoralhealth.org to learn more about advocating and joining the Community Water Fluoridation Workgroup.
Have you heard rumblings about initiating or discontinuing community water fluoridation in your community? The Statewide Water Action Team (SWAT) wants to hear from you! As a trusted supporter of community water fluoridation, we ask you to be a SWAT member to protect water fluoridation in Pennsylvania. We know we can count on you to assist us in looking out for potential threats to water fluoridation to keep fluoride in Pennsylvania.
