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

Position Statements 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.
View the Full Statement

The International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR) supports community water fluoridation as a safe and effective, evidence-based intervention for the prevention of dental caries.
View the Full Statement

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.
View the Full Statement

The Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends community water fluoridation based on strong evidence of effectiveness in reducing dental caries across populations.
View the Task Force Finding and Rationale 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.

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Pediatric Fluoride Use

Official guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics supporting fluoride use for children in the primary care setting.

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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.

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Countering Misinformation & Anti-Fluoride Claims

Addressing the Fluoride Controversy: Fluoride? More like Fluo-RIGHT

Amid recent federal review of water fluoridation policies, this 2025 article from Health Care for All (HCFA) explains why fluoride remains one of public health’s greatest achievements in preventing cavities and addressing oral health disparities.

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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.

Download the CDC INFOGRAPHICS

Fluoride & Fluoridation Education Sites

Fluoride Research