Dental News - Surgeon general marks 70th anniversary of water fluoridation

Fred Michmershuizen, DTA

Wed. 23 December 2015

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NEW YORK, N.Y., USA: In 1945, the city of Grand Rapids, Mich., was the first municipality in the world to add fluoride to its public water supply. In recognition of this milestone, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy on Tuesday released a video statement. “Over the past 70 years, community water fluoridation has contributed to dramatic declines in both the prevalence and severity of tooth decay,” the surgeon general said.

Before this public heath initiative became commonplace, people often experienced needless pain and suffering due to cavities. Many lost all of their teeth at an early age, and it was common for recruits to be rejected for military service because of poor oral health.

The American Dental Association (ADA) is applauding the surgeon general’s endorsement of community water fluoridation.

“Since its introduction in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1945, optimally fluoridated water has dramatically improved the oral health of tens of millions of Americans,” the ADA said in a press release.

“Studies show that community water fluoridation prevents at least 25 percent of tooth decay in children and adults, even in an era with widespread availability of fluoride from other sources, such as fluoride toothpaste,” said ADA President Dr. Carol Gomez Summerhays.

“On behalf of the ADA, we wish to thank Dr. Murthy for reaffirming that community water fluoridation is the single most effective public health measure to prevent tooth decay,” Summerhays said. “The ADA is proud to continue its efforts at the state and federal levels to support this safe and proven way to help fight dental disease.”

Today, a statue stands along the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich., as a monument to this achievement in public health.

“Grand Rapids’ pioneering step in advancing public health has spread worldwide, improving health and alleviating needless pain and suffering,” reads the inscription to “Steel Water” by Cyril Lixenberg, which was dedicated in 2007 as a gift of West Michigan’s dental community.

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“Community water fluoridation is one of the most practical, cost-effective, equitable, and safe measures communities can take to prevent tooth decay and improve oral health,” Surgeon General Murthy said. “Water fluoridation’s biggest advantage is that it is the best method for delivering fluoride to all members of the community regardless of age, education, income level or access to routine dental care.”

“Fluoride’s effectiveness in preventing tooth decay extends throughout life, resulting in fewer and less severe cavities,” he said. “In fact, each generation born since the implementation of water fluoridation has enjoyed better dental health than the preceding generation.”

Murthy’s video message is available at www.surgeongeneral.gov/videos/2015/12/community-water-fluoridation.html. The ADA has more information about fluoride and its health benefits available on its website, at ada.org/fluoride.

(Sources: Office of the Surgeon General, American Dental Association)

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