From time to time PVIA receives questions about fluoride from folks with concerns about potential health consequences. The PVIA Board supports fluoridation as a health benefit. PVIA adds fluoride to its treated drinking water at a rate of 0.7 milligrams/liter. In doing this, PVIA is following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control, the American Dental Association, and the World Health Organization. Extensive scientific analysis supports the view that fluoride at this low concentration is safe and beneficial to health, not detrimental.
On April 22, 2013 the current US Surgeon General, Dr. Regina Benjamin, added her endorsement of community water fluoridation calling it “one of the most effective choices communities can make to prevent health problems while actually improving the oral health of their citizens.”
Dr. Benjamin made her endorsement in a letter sent to the National Oral Health Conference being held this week in Huntsville, Ala. “Fluoridation’s effectiveness in preventing tooth decay is not limited to children, but extends throughout life, resulting in fewer and less severe cavities,” Dr. Benjamin said. “In fact, each generation born since the implementation of water fluoridation has enjoyed better dental health than the generation that preceded it.”
Every surgeon general for the past 50 years has endorsed community water fluoridation of community water supplies as a safe and effective weapon in the war against tooth decay. The American Dental Association has supported fluoridation since 1950.
The ADA’s policies regarding community water fluoridation are based on the best available science showing that fluoridation is a safe, effective way to prevent dental decay. The ADA, along with state and local dental societies, continues to work with federal, state and local agencies to increase the number of communities benefiting from this very effective public health measure.
You can read Dr. Benjamin’s letter to the National Oral Health Conference online at ADA.org.