Frequently Asked Questions about Fluoride and community water fluoridation.
Along with the overwhelming majority of the world’s health care organizations and leaders within the scientific community, the Florida Department of Health firmly supports and continues to recommend community water fluoridation as the most economical and effective means to control the major public health problem of dental caries.
– Celeste Philip, MD, MPH
Former Florida Surgeon General
Water fluoridation is the best method for delivering fluoride to all members of the community, regardless of age, education, income level or access to routine dental care. Fluoride’s effectiveness in preventing tooth decay extends throughout one’s life, resulting in fewer – and less severe – cavities. In fact, each generation born over the past 70 years has enjoyed better dental health than the one before it.
– Vivek H. Murthy, M.D., M.B.A.
Former United States Surgeon General
“Like many things, you can’t take unlimited amounts of it,” Dr. Lewis said. “But within a narrow range, it’s … quite beneficial and it’s essentially transformed the oral health of our country by having it in the water supply."
– Charlotte W. Lewis, M.D., M.P.H., FAAP, a member of the AAP Section on Oral Health
“Eighty years of community water fluoridation at optimal levels has proven to be safe and effective at reducing tooth decay to improve oral health, especially for those who lack health care access. The removal or banning of fluoride will cause serious oral health consequences that must be stopped or America will become sicker and not healthier. There is no better replacement for the time-tested, doctor trusted use of fluoride in community water programs.”
– Dr. Brett Kessler, President of the American Dental Association
