FCAAP Supports Community Water Fluoridation: A Commitment to Lifelong Oral Health

FCAAP Supports Community Water Fluoridation: A Commitment to Lifelong Oral Health

Tallahassee, Florida – Good oral health starts early—and the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Inc. (FCAAP) is committed to supporting initiatives that give children the healthiest start in life. With more than 2,800 pediatricians across the state, FCAAP is proud to stand alongside the Florida Dental Association in continued support of community water fluoridation.

Why Fluoride Matters

Dental caries (tooth decay) is the most common chronic disease in childhood. It’s not only painful—it’s costly. Each year, untreated cavities result in over 51 million missed school hours for children and countless missed work hours for caregivers. This issue disproportionately affects children in lower socioeconomic communities who may have limited access to dental care.

Fluoridated water is a proven public health tool that helps reduce this burden. In fact, children and adults living in communities with fluoridated water experience 25% fewer cavities than those without. Communities that have discontinued fluoridation have seen a noticeable rise in dental decay among children.

Fluoridation is not just effective—it’s economical. The estimated cost savings is about $32 per person per year, significantly outweighing the cost of implementation.

Backed by History and Science

Since 1945, when Grand Rapids, Michigan became the first U.S. city to fluoridate its public water, the results have been clear: fewer cavities and better oral health. Today, approximately 72% of the U.S. population benefits from fluoridated public water—a measure hailed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as one of the ten greatest public health achievements of the 20th century.

More than 3,000 studies globally have examined the safety and effectiveness of fluoride in public water. At the CDC-recommended level of 0.7 mg/L, fluoride is safe. The only notable side effect is mild dental fluorosis (minor tooth staining), which is cosmetic and does not affect tooth function.

Despite concerns raised by studies involving high levels of fluoride (greater than 1.5 mg/L), the overwhelming body of evidence confirms that U.S. water fluoridation levels—with 99.8% of systems below 1.2 mg/L—do not harm neurodevelopment, IQ, kidney function, or cancer risk.

Oral Health: A Gateway to Overall Health

Childhood oral health is a strong predictor of long-term well-being. Poor dental hygiene has been linked to higher risks of heart attack, stroke, poor diabetes management, and respiratory infections like pneumonia. Oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream through daily activities such as brushing, increasing the risk of infective endocarditis—especially in vulnerable individuals.

Our Position

For all of these reasons, FCAAP strongly supports continued community water fluoridation as a safe, effective, and equitable strategy to improve health outcomes for Florida’s children and families. Investing in oral health today helps build a healthier, stronger tomorrow.