Community water fluoridation is the process of adjusting the natural fluoride concentration to the recommended concentration for optimal dental health. Since its inception in 1945, fluoridation has grown to cover over 60% of the population who use public water supplies. During the past 50 years, hundreds of scientific studies have shown that community water fluoridation is safe and effective.
Although historically, the San Fernando Valley and West Los Angeles received LAA water exclusively, this is no longer true. MWD water is now delivered routinely to all parts of the City, so the natural fluoride concentration is a varying blend of the LAA and MWD fluoride concentrations.
The recommended optimum (or ideal) fluoride level, based on long term average air temperatures, is 0.8 mg/L for all regions of the City.
The City of Los Angeles began optimal fluoridation of the water supply in August, 1999. Currently, 70% of the distributed water is fluoridated. By the end of 2000, 80% of the distributed water will be fluoridated, and 100% coverage is expected by the end of 2001.
Water fluoridation is the single, most cost effective public health measure to prevent tooth decay and improve oral health. The American Dental Association states that the average annual cost for community water fluoridation in the U.S. is about 50 cents per person. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that every dollar spent on fluoridation saves approximately $80 in dental expenditures.
Every Surgeon General since 1945 has endorsed community water fluoridation.
The Surgeon General's website identifies fluoridation as one of the top
ten public health measures of the 20th Century.
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