 Overview
For over five decades, the American Dental Association has continuously endorsed the fluoridation of community water supplies and the use of fluoride-containing products as safe and effective measures for preventing tooth decay. Fluoride and Fluoridation contains resources that provide important facts and answer a myriad of questions. New information and resources will be added to this area as they become available. In the following sections, you will find the latest information about fluoride and fluoridation.
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ADA Fluoridation Resources
ADA’s Community Water Fluoridation Resource List
This listing includes items available from the Council on Access, Prevention and Interprofessional Relations and the ADA Catalog designed to assist communities in fluoridation efforts. From manuals, to videos, to electronic presentations and continuing education programs–it’s all here!
- ADA’s Community Water Fluoridation Resource List | PDF file/32k
Fluoridation Facts
Fluoridation Facts contains answers to frequently asked questions regarding community water fluoridation. This 71-page booklet is a comprehensive encyclopedia of fluoridation facts with over 350 scientific references. Fluoridation Facts includes information from scientific research in an easy to use question and answer format on the topics of effectiveness, safety, practice and cost-effectiveness of fluoridation. Additionally, the booklet contains a Compendium of more than 125 "National and International Organizations That Recognize the Public Health Benefits of Community Water Fluoridation for Preventing Dental Decay."
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ADA Policies and Statements
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ADA
News
- ADA Foundation seeks access grant applications (Jan. 16, 2007)
- Fluoridation victories: Campaigns spur local coalitions across the nation
(Dec. 12, 2006)
- Global panel issues fluoride call to action (Dec. 8, 2006)
- ADA offers interim guidance on infant formula and fluoride (Nov. 9, 2006)
- FDA approves dental health claim for fluoridated bottled water (Oct. 20, 2006)
- UCSF
study supports
fluoride varnish to prevent tooth
decay (Mar.
16, 2006)
- Fluoridation
cases go before
California Supreme
Court (Dec.
7, 2005)
- Michigan
town votes to
return fluoridation (Nov.
30, 2005)
- Victory
for ‘benefit
of fluoridation (Nov.
10, 2005)
- Time article may prompt patient questions on fluoridation (Oct. 19, 2005)
- Appeals
court affirms Escondido
fluoridation (Sep.
6, 2005)
- CDC,
NIH report improvements
in American oral
health (Aug.26,
2005)
- ADA,
CDC offer fluoridation
resources (Aug.
11, 2005)
- Fluoridation:
all smiles (Aug.
8,
2005)
- ADA
offers position
statement, talking
points on Harvard
study (July
25, 2005)
- Party
in the Park: ADA,
CDC celebrate 60
years of community
water fluoridation
(July
18, 2005)
- Colorado
coalition results
in win for fluoridation (May
4, 2005)
- Celebrating 60 years of water fluoridation (Jan. 20, 2005)
- ADA House OKs fluoride varnishes (Nov. 16, 2004)
- California fluoridation challenge dismissed (Nov. 1, 2004)
- NJDA petitions for fluoridation (Nov. 1, 2004)
- New fluoridation resource available from ADA (Oct. 14, 2004)
- New legislation may simplify fluoridation in California (Oct. 7, 2004)
- Fluoridation OK'd at the polls (Sept. 20, 2004)
- California court directs city to comply with state fluoridation policy (Aug. 13, 2004)
- Fluoridation honors awarded at oral health conference (May 14, 2004)
- Juneau dentists, citizens lobby for city to resume fluoridation (April 26, 2004)
- CAPIR honors fluoridation expert's work (April 21, 2004)
- Honolulu's city council votes to ban fluoridation (Feb. 2, 2004)
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The Journal of the American Dental Association
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Emerging
Issues (Updated 03/29/07)
Items in this section address emerging issues related to community water fluoridation.
Infants, Fluoride and Bottled Water
FDA Health Claim for Fluoridated Water
National Research Council's Report on Fluoride
Water Fluoridation and Bone Cancer
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Additional
Resources
Nature's Way to Prevent Tooth Decay— Water Fluoridation
Written as a collaborative effort between the American Dental Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Division of Oral Health, this two-page pamphlet delivers short and memorable points regarding community water fluoridation. Please note, because this pamphlet is not copyrighted it can be tailored to each community's need by inserting local contact information on the backside and then copied (black and white or color) for distribution. It is available in English and Spanish.
Fluoridation Ordinance—Suggested Provisions
This document contains suggested elements that provide a starting point for communities looking to enact a fluoridation ordinance. Be sure to consult with an attorney as you finalize your local ordinance.
- View Fluoridation Ordinance—Suggested Provisions | PDF file/13k
Statements from Six Leading Health Authorities Regarding Community Water Fluoridation
This one-page item encapsulates the statements on fluoridation made by ADA, AMA, CDC, NIDCR, US Surgeon General, and WHO.
- View Statements from Six Leading Health Authorities Regarding Community Water Fluoridation | PDF file/32k
Internet Resources on Fluoride and Fluoridation
The ADA Council on Access, Prevention and Interprofessional Relations has compiled a list of non-ADA Internet sites that provide information on fluoride and fluoridation issues.
ADA News Releases
Media Press Kit: Fluoridation
Our electronic press kits combine text, video and other images into one, easy-to-navigate format.
A-Z Topic: Science in the News
Evidence-based Clinical Recommendations
- Professionally-Applied Topical Fluoride | PDF file/80k
- Professionally-Applied Topical Fluoride (Executive Summary) | PDF file/40k
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National Fluoridation Symposium
 On January 25, 1945 at 4pm, Grand Rapids, Michigan became a pioneer in public health when it became the first city in the world to fluoridate its drinking water to levels optimal for preventing tooth decay.
As part of the 60th anniversary celebration of community water fluoridation, the ADA, in conjunction with the CDC, hosted a national fluoridation symposium in Chicago from July 13–16,
2005.
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