Fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral, has been widely recognized for its ability to prevent tooth decay and strengthen enamel. Extensive research has shown that community water fluoridation is a safe and effective way to reduce cavities in children and adults, particularly benefiting underserved populations who may have limited access to dental care. In 2022, nearly 22 million people in California, or 57.7% of the population served by community water systems, received fluoridated water.
Yet, even with overwhelming scientific consensus on the safety and efficacy of fluoridation, misinformation about fluoride has spread to communities where dental teams live and serve. CDA, in partnership with the CDA Foundation, has created a two-part webinar series plus fluoridation fact sheet, printable flyer and other resources to help dental teams educate patients about fluoridation and advocate in their communities for disease prevention.
Debunking misinformation and building patient trust
Studies with methodological flaws are being used to cast doubt on fluoride’s benefits and raise unfounded concerns about its safety. Importantly, the National Toxicology Program’s review and supporting studies did not establish a link between fluoride exposure and negative health outcomes at levels used in community water systems, further reinforcing the importance of evidence-based decision-making.
In “Fluoride Facts, Myths & Meaningful Conversations,” the first part of a webinar series developed by CDA in partnership with the CDA Foundation, experts in dental public health, pediatric dentistry and medicine address this misinformation. Dental team members who watch the on-demand webinar will learn how to have conversations about fluoride with their patients, while building trust through empathetic communication. The webinar references a simple handout providers can use to aid those conversations.
Advocating for fluoridation at the community level
The second webinar, “Tooth Truth: Advocacy Skills for Fluoride Champions,” presents strategies for navigating a fluoridation challenge at the community level and offers the best evidence and talking points for media outreach. These skills have become increasingly important to communicate the safety and efficacy of water fluoridation on a broader scale.
In 2025, 21 states introduced fluoridation limitation or elimination proposals for community water fluoridation, but 16 did not move forward. In all, the U.S. still largely supports community water fluoridation and is following recommendations from the best scientific evidence. However, Utah’s and Florida’s bans on fluoridation illustrate how misinformation can lead to municipal changes with potential to negatively impact community health.
Robust evidence from Juneau, Alaska, and Calgary, Canada, show that when water fluoridation stops in a community, dental disease and the cost of treating dental conditions increase. Over 80 years of research have confirmed that optimal levels of fluoride in drinking water paired with topical fluorides are a safe and effective public health strategy to reduce dental disease and cost burden on families.
A new Q&A one-pager from CDA explains how fluoride varnish and community water fluoridation are strategies that work together to prevent tooth decay.
California’s public health leaders reaffirm support for fluoridation
The California Department of Public Health, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the American Dental Association support community water fluoridation as a cost-effective strategy to reduce dental disease. According to the CDC and International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research, fluoridation has been shown to reduce cavities by approximately 25% over a person’s lifetime, helping families avoid costly and painful dental procedures.
California state leaders in April reaffirmed their support for the evidence-based public health policy of community water fluoridation. Dr. Erica Pan, director and state public health officer of CDPH, and Dr. Shakalpi Pendurkar, state dental director, issued a joint statement underscoring fluoride’s critical role in maintaining oral health.
More resources from CDA, other experts support oral health
Visit CDA’s Fluoride and Fluoridation webpage for more materials that support patient health and local advocacy:
- Water fluoridation: It’s beneficial, safe and saves money (printable flyer, CDA, CDA Foundation)
- Water fluoridation “key facts” sheet and Q&A one-pager on topical and systemic fluorides as public health strategies (CDA, CDA Foundation)
- “Truth Decay and Tooth Decay: The Role of Dental Teams in Sharing the Science of Community Water Fluoridation” (CDA Journal article)
- California Fluoridation Manual (California Oral Health Technical Assistance Center)
- Fluoridation Facts: 2025 e-book (ADA)
- Campaign for Dental Health (American Academy of Pediatrics)
CDA members can sign in to watch the webinars at any time.