92 l © 2025 American Dental Association
Section 4: Public Policy
Community Water Fluoridation Endorsements by US Surgeons General
Former US Surgeon General Dr. Luther Terry called fluoridation as vital a public health measure as
immunization against disease, pasteurization of milk, and purification of water.10
Another former US Surgeon General, Dr. C. Everett Koop, wrote:
…this preventive measure (fluoridation) is the single most important commitment that a
community can make to the oral health of its children and to future generations. I urge all health
officials and concerned citizens to join me in supporting this commitment and in the task of
achieving water fluoridation for all community drinking water supplies which lack the fluoride
content needed for the prevention of dental caries.393
In May 2000, US Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher issued the first ever Surgeon General’s report
on oral health, Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General.47 He noted “Community water
fluoridation is safe and effective in preventing dental caries in both children and adults.” In 2001,
Dr. Satcher issued a statement on fluoridation in which he noted:
…community water fluoridation continues to be the most cost-effective, practical, and safe
means for reducing and controlling the occurrence of dental decay in a community…water
fluoridation is a powerful strategy in efforts to eliminate health disparities among populations.394
In the 2003 National Call to Action to Promote Oral Health,52 US Surgeon General Dr. Richard Carmona
called on individuals and groups who are most concerned and in a position to act to apply strategies to
enhance the adoption and maintenance of proven community-based interventions such as community
water fluoridation.52 In his 2004 Statement on Community Water Fluoridation,395 Dr. Carmona wrote:
While we can be pleased with what has already been accomplished, it is clear that there is much
yet to be done. Policymakers, community leaders, private industry, health professionals, the
media, and the public should affirm that oral health is essential to general health and well-being
and take action to make ourselves, our families, and our communities healthier. I join previous
Surgeons General in acknowledging the continuing public health role for community water
fluoridation in enhancing the oral health of all Americans.395
In 2013, US Surgeon General Dr. Regina M. Benjamin wrote:396
…As Surgeon General I have been working hard to encourage individuals and communities to
make healthy choices because I believe it is better to prevent illness and disease rather than
treat it after it occurs. Community water fluoridation is one of the most effective choices
communities can make to prevent health problems while actually improving the oral health of
their citizens... Fluoridation’s effectiveness in preventing tooth decay is not limited to children,
but extends throughout life, resulting in fewer and less-severe cavities. In fact, each generation
born since the implementation of water fluoridation has enjoyed better dental health than the
generation that preceded it…396
US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued a statement supporting community water fluoridation in
December 2015.4 In the statement on fluoridation issued in 2016,4 Surgeon General Murthy emphasized:
Our progress on this issue over the past 70 years has been undeniable. But we still have work to
do. Because we know that so much of our health is determined by Zip code rather than genetic
code. That’s why creating a culture of disease prevention through community efforts—and
ensuring health equity for all—is one of my highest priorities. Community water fluoridation
helps us meet these goals, as it is one of the most cost-effective, equitable, and safe measures
communities can take to prevent tooth decay and improve oral health.4
Section 4: Public Policy
Community Water Fluoridation Endorsements by US Surgeons General
Former US Surgeon General Dr. Luther Terry called fluoridation as vital a public health measure as
immunization against disease, pasteurization of milk, and purification of water.10
Another former US Surgeon General, Dr. C. Everett Koop, wrote:
…this preventive measure (fluoridation) is the single most important commitment that a
community can make to the oral health of its children and to future generations. I urge all health
officials and concerned citizens to join me in supporting this commitment and in the task of
achieving water fluoridation for all community drinking water supplies which lack the fluoride
content needed for the prevention of dental caries.393
In May 2000, US Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher issued the first ever Surgeon General’s report
on oral health, Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General.47 He noted “Community water
fluoridation is safe and effective in preventing dental caries in both children and adults.” In 2001,
Dr. Satcher issued a statement on fluoridation in which he noted:
…community water fluoridation continues to be the most cost-effective, practical, and safe
means for reducing and controlling the occurrence of dental decay in a community…water
fluoridation is a powerful strategy in efforts to eliminate health disparities among populations.394
In the 2003 National Call to Action to Promote Oral Health,52 US Surgeon General Dr. Richard Carmona
called on individuals and groups who are most concerned and in a position to act to apply strategies to
enhance the adoption and maintenance of proven community-based interventions such as community
water fluoridation.52 In his 2004 Statement on Community Water Fluoridation,395 Dr. Carmona wrote:
While we can be pleased with what has already been accomplished, it is clear that there is much
yet to be done. Policymakers, community leaders, private industry, health professionals, the
media, and the public should affirm that oral health is essential to general health and well-being
and take action to make ourselves, our families, and our communities healthier. I join previous
Surgeons General in acknowledging the continuing public health role for community water
fluoridation in enhancing the oral health of all Americans.395
In 2013, US Surgeon General Dr. Regina M. Benjamin wrote:396
…As Surgeon General I have been working hard to encourage individuals and communities to
make healthy choices because I believe it is better to prevent illness and disease rather than
treat it after it occurs. Community water fluoridation is one of the most effective choices
communities can make to prevent health problems while actually improving the oral health of
their citizens... Fluoridation’s effectiveness in preventing tooth decay is not limited to children,
but extends throughout life, resulting in fewer and less-severe cavities. In fact, each generation
born since the implementation of water fluoridation has enjoyed better dental health than the
generation that preceded it…396
US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued a statement supporting community water fluoridation in
December 2015.4 In the statement on fluoridation issued in 2016,4 Surgeon General Murthy emphasized:
Our progress on this issue over the past 70 years has been undeniable. But we still have work to
do. Because we know that so much of our health is determined by Zip code rather than genetic
code. That’s why creating a culture of disease prevention through community efforts—and
ensuring health equity for all—is one of my highest priorities. Community water fluoridation
helps us meet these goals, as it is one of the most cost-effective, equitable, and safe measures
communities can take to prevent tooth decay and improve oral health.4
