Connecticut State Dental Association Affirms Support for Fluoridation

The Connecticut State Dental Association (CSDA) reaffirms its support for community water fluoridation, a proven public health measure that has been safe and effective for over 70 years.

On Tuesday, September 24, 2024, a federal court ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) take further action to evaluate the efficacy of fluoridated water and its impact on public health. Nonprofit environmental groups such as Food & Water Watch and the Fluoride Action Network brought the EPA to court after the coalition’s petition to ban fluoride was denied in 2017. Judge Edward Chen said his ruling does not conclude that fluoridated water is injurious to public health. On the contrary, community water fluoridation has been hailed by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as one of the 10 greatest health achievements of the 20th century.

“The cost of fluoridating water over a person’s lifetime is less than the cost of treating a single cavity,” stated Dr. Steve Hall, President of the Connecticut State Dental Association. “This week’s ruling reinforces the importance of the EPA’s commitment to ensuring that our community water fluoridation plans in Connecticut continue to deliver positive health outcomes for over 3 million residents. Fluoride does more than promote bright smiles; it fosters stronger teeth in both children and adults, contributing to overall health and longevity.”

Fluoridation laws were enacted in Connecticut in 1965, and since that time public water systems serving over 20,000 residents have been required to implement this vital health initiative. As of 2022, 32 public water systems in Connecticut fluoridate their drinking water, effectively serving approximately 90% of the state's population. Despite the widespread availability of fluoride toothpaste, community water fluoridation continues to reduce tooth decay by approximately 25% among both children and adults.

Tooth decay, also known as dental caries, remains one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in the United States, significantly impacting oral health. Fluoride plays a crucial role in protecting teeth by strengthening enamel and preventing decay. Studies indicate that children suffering from dental caries are nearly three times more likely to miss school due to dental pain compared to their peers with good oral health. This disparity is especially pronounced among children from low-income families, who face greater barriers to accessing dental care. Community water fluoridation serves as a powerful tool in addressing this public health challenge, providing equitable access to oral health benefits without imposing additional costs on individuals.

Recent discussions surrounding fluoride safety have emerged, particularly following the August report from the National Toxicology Program (NTP) linking higher fluoride levels to lower IQ in children. However, it is crucial to note that these studies examined naturally occurring high fluoride levels outside the United States and do not provide evidence that necessitates changes to U.S. community fluoridation practices.

The NTP report confirmed that there is no harm associated with the current optimal fluoridation level of 0.7 parts per million in U.S. drinking water. Furthermore, the report acknowledged the limitations of the studies reviewed, indicating that they could not establish fluoride as the determining factor for local IQ levels in the areas studied.

For more information on community water fluoridation and its benefits, please visit www.csda.com .