Oral Health, U.S. 2002 Annual Report
Section 2: PREVENTIVE INTERVENTIONS
| 2.2 |
Fluoridation of community water systems |
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that optimally fluoridated water was available to 65.8% of the U.S. population served by public water systems in 2000 (CDC, 2002). Water fluoridation laws vary by state, with some states requiring fluoridation in communities with a minimum population, while other states require a local referendum before fluoridation can be implemented (Burt & Eklund, 1999). A voluntary reporting system is maintained by the CDC, with information displayed on its website. The Water Fluoridation Reporting System (WFRS), a fluoridation program quality monitoring system, is maintained by CDC and participating states.
SOURCE OF DATA
The source for the data described below is the 2000 Water
Fluoridation Reporting System,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As the population has grown so has the number of people on fluoridated water systems (Figure 2.2.1). Fluoridated water systems began in the 1940s when Grand Rapids, Michigan, increased its community water fluoride content to 1 part per million (ppm). Currently, 87% of the U.S. population use a public water system, and 65.8% of this population receive optimally fluoridated water (Figures 2.2.2A and 2.2.2B).
As shown in Figure 2.2.3, all residents of the District of Columbia obtain their water from public water systems that are optimally fluoridated (see Table 2.2.1 for the full listing). At the other extreme, only 2.0% of the population in Utah receive publicly fluoridated water. The Healthy People 2010 target is for 75% of the US population to receive fluoridated water. Currently, 26 states and the District of Columbia have achieved this target.
Bullets reference data that can be found in Table 2.2.1.
REFERENCES
Burt BA, Eklund SA. Dentistry, Dental Practice, and the Community, 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Co., 1999.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Populations receiving optimally fluoridated public drinking water-United States, 2000.
MMWR 2002;51:144-147.
Figure 2.2.1. Fluoridation growth by population in the United States
 [D]
Source: 2000 Water Fluoridation Reporting System,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Figure 2.2.2A. Percentage of U.S. population on public water systems
 [D]
Source: 2000 Water Fluoridation Reporting System,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Figure 2.2.2B. Percentage of U.S. population on public water system receiving fluoridated water
 [D]
Source: 2000
Water Fluoridation Reporting System,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Figure 2.2.3. Percentage of population receiving fluoridated water through public water systems-10 highest and 10 lowest states, 2000
 [D]
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Populations receiving optimally fluoridated public drinking water-United States, 2000.
MMWR 2002;51:144–147.
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