Quick Summary: “Community water fluoridation is the single most cost-effective, equitable and safe public health measure to prevent tooth decay and improve oral health," write Drs. Erica Pan and Shakalpi Pendurkar in a joint statement issued by the California Department of Public Health. Read the full statement, and learn more about the benefits of water fluoridation.
Dr. Erica Pan, director and state public health officer of the California Department of Public Health , and Dr. Shakalpi Pendurkar, state dental director, on March 20 issued a joint statement underscoring the critical role of fluoride in maintaining oral health and combating misinformation about community water fluoridation. Their statement comes as recent discussions highlight the ongoing need for evidence-based public health policies to protect Californians from preventable dental diseases.
“The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) supports optimal levels of fluoride in drinking water as a safe, effective and cost-saving public health intervention to improve the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities,” said Drs. Pan and Pendurkar. “Community water fluoridation is the single most cost-effective, equitable and safe public health measure to prevent tooth decay and improve oral health. One of the biggest benefits of water fluoridation is that it helps everyone in the community, especially those without access to regular dental care. Optimal levels of fluoride in water are effective in preventing tooth decay throughout life, resulting in fewer and less severe cavities. Furthermore, water fluoridation has been endorsed by every major health organization in the United States and many other countries, as well as every Surgeon General for the past 50 years.”
Fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral, has been widely recognized for its ability to prevent tooth decay and strengthen enamel. Extensive research has shown that community water fluoridation is a safe and effective way to reduce cavities in children and adults, particularly benefiting underserved populations who may have limited access to dental care. In 2022, nearly 22 million people in California, or 57.7% of the population served by community water systems, received fluoridated water.
Debunking misinformation: Addressing flawed studies on fluoride safety
Despite the overwhelming scientific consensus on fluoridation’s safety and efficacy, misinformation has fueled controversy in recent years. Studies with methodological flaws were cited in the National Toxicology Program’s systemic review and are being used to cast doubt on fluoride’s benefits and raise unfounded concerns about its safety. Importantly, the NTP’s review and supporting studies did not establish a link between fluoride exposure and negative health outcomes at levels used in community water systems, further reinforcing the importance of evidence-based decision-making.
National trends in fluoride policy
Utah’s ban on community water fluoridation and legislative trends across the country seeking to limit access to community water fluoridation illustrate how the spread of misinformation impacts community health. Robust evidence from Juneau, Alaska, and Calgary, Canada, shows that when water fluoridation stops in a community, dental disease and the cost of treating dental conditions increase. Over 80 years of research have confirmed that optimal levels of fluoride in drinking water are a safe and effective public health strategy.
Commitment to public health: Ensuring access to preventive oral care
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDPH and the American Dental Association all support community water fluoridation as a cost-effective strategy to reduce dental disease. According to the CDC and International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research, fluoridation has been shown to reduce cavities by approximately 25% over a person’s lifetime, helping families avoid costly and painful dental procedures.
The CDPH’s Oral Health Program continues to provide resources to educate communities about fluoride’s benefits and dispel myths that threaten public health initiatives. CDA also remains committed to advocating for evidence-based policies that support oral health and access to preventive care while offering updated resources to help members and the public understand fluoride’s health benefits.
Find more information on fluoride and its benefits through the California Office of Oral Health or CDA’s Fluoride and Fluoridation resource page.
