AAPHD new fluoride recommendations

Public health officials on January 7th reaffirmed the safety and effectiveness of community water fluoridation while updating their recommendation on the optimal level for preventing tooth decay based on the latest science.

To read more about water fluoridation, go to water fluoridation.

The Department of Health and Human Services and the Environmental Protection Agency acknowledged the trend of increased dental fluorosis in children in the United States. To address this issue, the recommendation is to set the optimal level for fluoride in drinking water at 0.7 parts per million.

This is well within the previous optimal range of 0.7 ppm to 1.2 ppm that had been recommended for more than 50 years. Recognizing that a range based solely on mean temperature is no longer applicable because water consumption no longer varies by temperature zone, a single optimal level is now recommended.

The American Association of Public Health Dentistry supports this recommendation and applauds the continued evaluation of this cornerstone public health measure. AAPHD is committed to educating the public about
proper use of fluorides for preventing tooth decay, including fluoride toothpaste and the benefits of community water fluoridation.

AAPHD President Dr. Ana Karina Mascarenhas states, “Fluoride is essential for preventing tooth decay and assuring optimal oral health for all ages. The new recommendation assures we have the right balance given the multitude of fluoride sources available today to prevent tooth decay while protecting against dental fluorosis.”

AAPHD promotes oral health as an essential component of overall health, wellbeing, and self- esteem; and supports public health efforts to continually update research on the appropriate use of fluorides to benefit people of all ages.

For more information, go to www.aaphd.org.

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