Community Water Fluoridation Program

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Oral health of United States has improved dramatically in the last three decades, but the higher rate of dental caries is still a major public health problem. The community water fluoridation provides a solution to reduce the caries rate which is the most effective method to deliver fluoride of all ages, education, and income levels of all communities. Community water fluoridation is recommended by nearly all public health, medical, and dental organizations. It is recommended by the American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, US Public Health Service, and the World Health Organization.

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Fluoride has been proven to protect teeth from decay. Bacteria in the mouth produce acid when a person eats sugary foods. This acid eats away minerals from the tooth’s surface, making the tooth weaker and increasing the chance of developing cavities. Fluoride helps to rebuild and strengthen the tooth’s surface, or enamel. Water fluoridation prevents tooth decay by providing frequent and consistent contact with low levels of fluoride. By keeping the tooth strong and solid, fluoride stops cavities from forming and can even rebuild the tooth’s surface.

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Community water fluoridation is the process of adjusting the amount of fluoride found in water to achieve optimal prevention of tooth decay. 

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Benefits: Strong Teeth

Fluoride benefits children and adults throughout their lives. For children younger than age 8, fluoride helps strengthen the adult (permanent) teeth that are developing under the gums. For adults, drinking water with fluoride supports tooth enamel, keeping teeth strong and healthy. The health benefits of fluoride include having:

• Fewer cavities.

• Less severe cavities.

• Less need for fillings and removing teeth.

• Less pain and suffering because of tooth decay.   
   

We collaborated with several non-profit organization in the towns and cities of MA to educate the public about the importance of drinking fluoridated water. In the non-fluoridated communities, we organized town hall meetings to convince the community members and to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the community fluoridation techniques. We designed a poster to educate the communities of the mechanism of fluorides on the tooth. 

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