Fluoride Information & Resources

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]

View the ADHA Policy Manual

ADHA Position Statement on Community Water Fluoridation

The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA ) maintains its strong support of community water fluoridation as a safe, effective and equitable public health measure. The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA ) maintains its strong support of community water fluoridation as a safe, effective and equitable public health measure.
View the Full Statement

Adult Fluoride Use

When is fluoride a good idea for your adult patients? To tackle this topic, a panel of experts led by the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs compiled evidence-based, clinical practice guidelines and a review of professionally applied and home use topical fluoride agents for caries prevention.

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.

American Academy of Cardiology

The American Academy of Cariology (AAC) firmly asserts that community water fluoridation (CWF) at the optimal level of 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water (mg/L) is a safe, cost-effective, and equitable public health intervention to prevent dental caries in children and adults. The full position statement 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:

View or Download the Flyer

Fluoride Fact Sheets

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.

Check U.S. Water Fluoridation Map

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.