© 2025 American Dental Association l 93
Fluoridation Facts
Healthy People 2030
Today, the focus in achieving and maintaining health is on prevention. Established by the HHS, Healthy
People 2030 provides an evidence-based, comprehensive set of ambitious, achievable, 10-year
national objectives for improving public health and reducing health disparities. Healthy People 2030
recognizes the importance of water fluoridation in promoting oral health and reducing disparities.55
Healthy People 2030 recognizes the importance of water fluoridation in promoting
oral health and reducing disparities.55
Healthy People 2030 aims to increase the proportion of people whose water systems have the
recommended amount of fluoride.55 The target is to have 77.1% of people served by community water
systems with optimally fluoridated water to reduce oral health disparities.56 The CDC reported that
in 2022, 72.3% of the US population on public water systems, or a total of 209.1 million people, had
access to fluoridated water.57
The Guide to Community Preventive Services
Established by the HHS in 1996, the CPSTF develops and disseminates guidance on which
community-based health promotion and disease prevention intervention approaches work and
which do not, based on available scientific evidence. The CPSTF issues findings based on systematic
reviews of effectiveness and economic evidence. The Guide to Community Preventive Services
(“The Community Guide”) is a collection of evidence-based findings of the CPSTF that is designed
to assist decision-makers in selecting interventions to improve health and prevent disease.97
The Community Guide reviews are designed to answer three questions:
1. What has worked for others and how well?
2. What might this intervention approach cost, and what am I likely to achieve through
my investment?
3. What are the evidence gaps?97
The CPSTF recommends community water fluoridation to reduce tooth decay.42
Institute of Medicine Reports
Reports have been released by the HHS that encourage the use of preventive interventions to improve
the overall and oral health of the nation.397,398 Specific to oral health, two reports issued in 2011 by
the Institute of Medicine acknowledge that water fluoridation is an effective intervention for the
prevention of tooth decay.399,400 Advancing Oral Health in America399 referred to water fluoridation as
an effective prevention intervention, while Improving Access to Oral Health Care for Vulnerable and
Underserved Populations400 acknowledged that evidence regarding community water fluoridation
programs continues to validate its effectiveness, safety, and cost-saving benefits.
Fluoridation Facts
Healthy People 2030
Today, the focus in achieving and maintaining health is on prevention. Established by the HHS, Healthy
People 2030 provides an evidence-based, comprehensive set of ambitious, achievable, 10-year
national objectives for improving public health and reducing health disparities. Healthy People 2030
recognizes the importance of water fluoridation in promoting oral health and reducing disparities.55
Healthy People 2030 recognizes the importance of water fluoridation in promoting
oral health and reducing disparities.55
Healthy People 2030 aims to increase the proportion of people whose water systems have the
recommended amount of fluoride.55 The target is to have 77.1% of people served by community water
systems with optimally fluoridated water to reduce oral health disparities.56 The CDC reported that
in 2022, 72.3% of the US population on public water systems, or a total of 209.1 million people, had
access to fluoridated water.57
The Guide to Community Preventive Services
Established by the HHS in 1996, the CPSTF develops and disseminates guidance on which
community-based health promotion and disease prevention intervention approaches work and
which do not, based on available scientific evidence. The CPSTF issues findings based on systematic
reviews of effectiveness and economic evidence. The Guide to Community Preventive Services
(“The Community Guide”) is a collection of evidence-based findings of the CPSTF that is designed
to assist decision-makers in selecting interventions to improve health and prevent disease.97
The Community Guide reviews are designed to answer three questions:
1. What has worked for others and how well?
2. What might this intervention approach cost, and what am I likely to achieve through
my investment?
3. What are the evidence gaps?97
The CPSTF recommends community water fluoridation to reduce tooth decay.42
Institute of Medicine Reports
Reports have been released by the HHS that encourage the use of preventive interventions to improve
the overall and oral health of the nation.397,398 Specific to oral health, two reports issued in 2011 by
the Institute of Medicine acknowledge that water fluoridation is an effective intervention for the
prevention of tooth decay.399,400 Advancing Oral Health in America399 referred to water fluoridation as
an effective prevention intervention, while Improving Access to Oral Health Care for Vulnerable and
Underserved Populations400 acknowledged that evidence regarding community water fluoridation
programs continues to validate its effectiveness, safety, and cost-saving benefits.
