Vermont’s Community Water Fluoridation
Background
- In 1952, the City of Burlington became the first Vermont community to provide fluoridated water to its residents.
- Today, public water systems throughout Vermont have joined Burlington in providing this important community dental public health measure.
- Burlington residents, regardless of socioeconomic status or ability to obtain dental care, receive dental benefits by simply drinking fluoridated water.
- In Vermont, the cost of providing fluoridated water is little over one dollar per person per year. For every dollar spent on fluoridation, as much as $70 is saved in dental bills. A lifetime cost of fluoridation per person is about the same as the cost of one dental restoration.
Support for Fluoridation
- Based on 60 years of research studies, fluoridation at the optimal level poses no adverse health risks.
- Research and practical experience indicate that fluoridation has played an important role in the reduction of tooth decay (40 percent to 70 percent in children), and tooth loss in adults (40 percent to 70 percent).
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recognized fluoridation of drinking water as one of the ten greatest public health achievements of the 20th century.
Water Fluoridation
- Since fluoride is a natural mineral found in rock formations and soil, all water sources in Vermont have varying levels of natural fluoride.
- Before water fluoridation can be considered, the natural fluoride content is analyzed. The amount is adjusted based on the natural fluoride level in a geographic area.
- Extensive research by the United States Public Health Service (the agency responsible for public health) has established optimal fluoride levels in the United States. In Vermont, the optimal fluoride level of 1.1 parts fluoride per million gallons of water (ppm) has been established. Lake Champlain’s natural fluoride level is 0.2 ppm. Water from Lake Champlain is adjusted to meet the 1.1 ppm standard.
School-based Fluoride Mouthrinse Program
The goal of the School-based Fluoride Mouthrinse Program is to help reduce tooth decay among Vermont’s school aged children. The School-based Fluoride Mouthrinse Program has been in existence for 30 years, providing free weekly fluoride mouthrinse to children in schools that do not have community water fluoridation.
Each year over 90 percent of eligible Vermont schools participate in the program. Studies show that new tooth decay can be reduced up to 30 percent by rinsing weekly with a topical 0.2 percent solution fluoride mouthrinse.
Fluoride is a mineral found naturally in all water sources.
There are two types of fluoride, systemic and topical:
- Systemic fluorides are swallowed and benefit the teeth before and after they erupt in the mouth.
- Topical fluorides are applied directly to teeth and expectorated. Topical fluorides benefit teeth that have already erupted into the mouth.
The National Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research and the Vermont Department of Health Office of Oral Health recommend the following guidelines for fluoride:
- Children should receive one, but only one, source of systemic fluoride together with multiple sources of topical fluoride for maximum protection against tooth decay.
- Children between 12 months and 16 years of age should receive fluoride supplements if they do not receive adequate fluoride in their drinking water.
More about infant formula and fluoridated water.
For more information about Vermont’s School-based Fluoride Mouthrinse Program, please call 802-863-7341.