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Description
- provide optimal levels of fluoride to communities through public water sources
- levels are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974)
- maximum containment level (MCL) of 4.0 mg/L
- fluoride is a salt, resulting from the combination of fluorine and minerals in rocks or soil
- reaches over 72% of the United States
- first implemented in 1945 and is credited to be one of the top ten public health achievements of the 20th century
- safe and cost effective public health strategy recommended by the Community Preventive Services Task Force
- individuals drinking fortified water have been shown to benefit from fluoridation’s protection against dental caries
- endorsed by the American Dental Association http://www.ada.org/4045.aspx
Theoretical Basis
- Social Influence Level Theory: social groups have the potential to influence an individual’s belief on fluoridated water
- specifically, Change Theory of Behavior plays a role in this intervention
- intervention is designed to change current social norms in order to have a larger effect
Target Group
- children and adults who have access to a public drinking water source
National Water Fluoridation Statistics (CDC)
| Total US population, peoplea | 313,914,040 |
| US population on community water systems (CWS), peopleb | 282,534,910 |
| Total US population on fluoridated drinking water systems, peopleb | 210,655,401 |
| Percentage of US population receiving fluoridated waterc | 67.1% |
| Percentage of US population on CWS receiving fluoridated waterd | 74.6% |
| Total number of CWS in United Statesb | 52,734 |
| Number of CWS providing fluoridated waterb | 18,502 |
| Number of CWS adjusting fluorideb | 5,999 |
| Number of CWS consecutive to systems with optimal fluoride levelsb | 6,342 |
| Number of CWS with naturally occurring fluoride at or above optimal levelsb,e | 6,151 |
| Population served by CWS with naturally occurring fluoride at or above optimal levelsb,e | 11,116,202 |