BY HUGH SILK, MD, MPH, FAAFP, AND SEBASTIANA REDFORD, TUFTS SCHOOL
OF MEDICINE, STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE, COMMITTEE ON ORAL HEALTH
Community water fluoridation (CWF) has been receiving increased coverage in the media due to legislative actions and debates in
several states concerning its safety and necessity. Amid these discussions, the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) continues to advocate for promoting the fluoridation of community water supplies in Massachusetts.
Benefits of CWF
Fluoride is a mineral found in the earth’s crust that plays a critical role in strengthening teeth and preventing cavities. CWF is a safe and effective intervention that ensures both children and adults have equitable access to oral disease prevention.
Many studies comparing fluoridated and non-fluoridated communities have demonstrated that CWF reduces tooth decay and overall is one of the most cost-effective methods of reducing oral disease. One study found that preschool-age children who didn’t have fluoridated water had an 86 percent higher rate of potentially preventable hospitalizations for serious dental conditions. Another study showed that people who consumed fluoridated water as children were less likely to have lost their teeth due to decay 40 or 50 years later.
Conversely, excessive fluoride in water can lead to fluorosis, a harmless condition that causes mild discoloration of tooth enamel without affecting function. Like any essential nutrient, excessive fluoride may have broader health effects, which
is why its levels are carefully regulated in the United States, similar to vitamin D in milk or folic acid in bread.
MMS Recommendations
The MMS remains committed to promoting CWF in Massachusetts, aiming to reach 79 percent of residents with fluoridated water in alignment with national goals. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health oversees CWF in the state and recommends
a fluoride level of 0.7 ppm. This standard is also endorsed by the CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the US Public Health Service, and numerous other leading health organizations nationwide.
How Physicians Can Help
The current threat to CWF is a health equity issue, and we encourage you to promote CWF. You can do this by educating your patients and communities and providing them with further evidence-based information to combat misinformation. The most reliable
and comprehensive sources of information for providers and the public can be found at ilikemyteeth.org. One may also engage with local and state policymakers and join the statewide Better Oral Health Massachusetts Coalition to support oral health initiatives.
