Community Water Fluoridation Program

It is recommended that all public water systems in Oklahoma be fluoridated to provide this cost-effective oral disease prevention measure to residents throughout Oklahoma. Unfortunately, not all public water systems in Oklahoma are currently optimally fluoridated (1 ppm = 1 part fluoride per million parts of water, or 1 MG/L).

The addition of appropriate amounts of fluoride to water systems has been shown to reduce tooth decay by as much as forty (40) percent and this procedure now ranks as one of the most cost effective preventive programs in public health today. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that up to $53 per person per year might be saved after flouridating. This could save the average family of four approximately $212 per year. After the start-up expense for equipment and installation, fluoride chemical costs are estimated at 72 cents per person per year. The scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness and safety of this important preventive health measure is overwhelming. Dental, medical, and public health organizations at the national, state, and local levels are solidly in favor of fluoridation.

The fluoridation program is unique because fluoride is added to the water supply solely to reduce dental decay. The addition of fluoride to a water supply does not change the taste, color, odor, or cause any other such changes to water.

The health department dental program continues to have the major promotional role for water fluoridation in the state, with assistance primarily from the Oklahoma Dental Association. The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is responsible for regulation. Also, the health department fluoridation program provides consultation to physicians and dentists.

Oklahoma State Board of Health Resolution:

60th Anniversary of Community Water Fluoridation
and Oral Health in Oklahoma

Oklahoma State Board of Health
February 10, 2005

WHEREAS, the fluoridation of drinking water has been proven safe and effective in reducing dental decay and is cited as one of the ten great public health achievements of the 20th century by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and

WHEREAS, state and national medical, dental, and public health organizations endorse and recommend optimally fluoridated drinking water for the prevention of tooth decay, and

WHEREAS, a recent oral health needs assessment of Oklahoma third grade children, jointly conducted by the Oklahoma State Department of Health and the University of Oklahoma Colleges of Dentistry and Public Health, found that  (a) 69.4% of children have dental caries experience,  (b) 40.2% of children have untreated dental decay,  (c) only 37.2% of children have dental sealants, and  (d) the average third grade child has approximately 2.8 teeth that are decayed or have been decayed, and

WHEREAS, community water fluoridation is one of the most cost-effective public health preventive measures available, and for every dollar spent on community water fluoridation, up to $38.00 is saved in dental treatment costs, and

WHEREAS, community water fluoridation benefits both children and adults regardless of income level or access to care, and can result in up to a 40% reduction of dental caries, and

WHEREAS, 2005 marks the 60th anniversary of community water fluoridation in America, therefore

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Oklahoma State Board of Health:

1.        Recognizes 2005 as the 60th anniversary of community water fluoridation in America, and proclaims this event as a significant achievement in the history of public health and preventive dentistry,

2.        Recommends that all public water systems in Oklahoma be optimally fluoridated to provide this cost-effective oral disease prevention measure to residents throughout Oklahoma,

3.        Strongly urges that state and local government officials move in the direction of providing this health and cost saving benefit for their citizens if that is not already the case,

4.        Suggests that Turning Point organizations consider this public health measure on their agenda,

5.        Recommends that other effective oral health preventive programs of [a] dental education and tobacco use prevention, and [b] regular clinical dental care (including dental sealants and topical fluoride treatments) should also be emphasized and actively promoted, in addition to water fluoridation, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Oklahoma State Board of Health recommends and supports good oral health for all Oklahoma residents.