Community Water Fluoridation (CWF)

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fluoride

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

 

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