Community Water Fluoridation
Community Water Fluoridation
Supplementing water with fluoride is a safe and effective way to prevent dental cavities for an entire community.
Oral health is important for overall health. Poor oral health can actually be deadly; a dental abscess can spread to the brain or lungs, causing infection and sometimes death. Just like we add iodine to salt, we add fluoride to water as a supplement to protect the entire community.
Water fluoridation is one of the most studied topics in public health. Over 7000 studies from the past 75 years show fluoridating water is safe and effective. Reviews have consistently shown no connection with cancer, autism, or any other health issue. Fluoride in water promotes oral health by reducing the rate of new tooth decay (cavities) by 25-30%.
Explaining Fluoride
Advocacy Resources
Talking Points
Policymaker Meeting Guide for Fluoride – AZOHC
Fluoridation Talking Points for Advocates – CareQuest Institute
SAY THIS, NOT THAT: Tips for talking about community water fluoridation – American Academy of Pediatrics
Community Water Fluoridation Key Messages & Resources – American Dental Association
Communication Tools
Writing Letters to the Editor, and Writing Letters to Elected Officials – Community ToolBox
Op-ed Writing: The Basics – the OpEd Project
Sharing Your Story – Statewide Poverty Action Network
Reframing Oral Health, including templates for testimony, social media posts, and letters to the editor – FrameWorks Institute
Framing for Oral Health Equity Now, including templates for testimony, social media posts – FrameWorks Institute and CareQuest Institute
