ADHA Policies on Fluorides & Fluoridation
The American Dental Hygienists’ Association supports community water fluoridation as a safe and effective method for reducing the incidence of dental caries throughout the human lifespan. [5-15/58-82]
The American Dental Hygienists’ Association supports education regarding the preventive and therapeutic benefits, safety and cost effectiveness of community water fluoridation. [6-15]
The American Dental Hygienists’ Association supports education regarding the benefits of all preventive and therapeutic fluorides. [7-15]
The American Dental Hygienists’ Association supports the dental hygienists’ ability to prescribe, administer and dispense all evidence-based preventive and therapeutic fluorides. [2-18]
U.S. Public Health Service Recommendation
U.S. Public Health Service recommends a fluoride concentration of 0.7 mg/L (parts per million [ppm]) in drinking water to maintain caries prevention benefits and reduce the risk of dental fluorosis. The full recommendation and rationale is linked below.
Myths and Facts: Responses to Common Anti-Fluoride Claims
Looking for ways to respond to your patients’ questions and challenges on fluoride more easily, and direct them to research on the topic? The AAP offers this fantastic flyer of FAQs and answers to help:
Does Your Community Water Offer Fluoride Benefits?
Check the CDC’s website to view state by state and county by county where community water fluoridation is in place. Knowing if your patient has or doesn’t have fluoride in their drinking water is important for treatment planning and hygiene diagnosis.
Fluoride Fact Sheets
Community Water Fluoridation Infographic
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offers a collection of easy to share infographics on community water fluoridation, how fluoride works, and more.
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- Community Water Fluoridation
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- How Fluoride Works
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- A Foundation for Health Teeth