Dental News - 204 million Americans now have fluoridated water

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204 million Americans now have fluoridated water

“Steel Water,” a monument to community water fluoridation, stands along the Grand River in Grand Rapids, Mich. (DTI/Photo Fred Michmershuizen, DTA)
Fred Michmershuizen, DTA

Fred Michmershuizen, DTA

Tue. 1 May 2012

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NEW YORK, NY, USA: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced that that 73.9 percent of Americans who get their water from municipal systems now benefit from optimal fluoridation, bringing the number of Americans receiving optimally fluoridated water to an all-time high of 204 million people. In a press release, the American Dental Association (ADA) welcomed the news.

“The 157,000 members of the American Dental Association welcome today’s announcement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that 73.9 percent of Americans who get their water from municipal systems now benefit from optimal fluoridation,” the ADA said.

According to the ADA, community water fluoridation is a proven, safe measure to prevent dental decay, rates of which have dropped dramatically since its inception 67 years ago.

“The ADA congratulates the CDC and the thousands of organizations and individuals who continue to work toward the day when the customers of every community water system enjoy the benefits of optimal fluoridation,” the ADA said.

The city of Grand Rapids, Mich., was the first in the United States to add fluoride to its water to combat tooth decay. To commemorate the achievement, “Steel Water,” a sky-blue, 33-foot tall monument, sits along the banks of the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids.

The sculpture, by Cyril Lixenberg, commemorates more than six decades of water fluoridation in the city. The monument is the second that Grand Rapids erected to fluoridation. A marble monument marking the 50th anniversary previously sat near the same spot.

“Steel Water” was put up through the efforts of the West Michigan District Dental Foundation Fluoride Commemorative Committee.

 

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