title: Public health focus: fluoridation of community water systems.
abstract: Although fluoridation of community water is highly effective in reducing the occurrence of dental caries, the prevalence of dental caries remains high in the United States. For example, a survey of school-aged children during 1986-1987 indicated that 50% of those aged 5-17 years had caries in their permanent teeth, and among 17-year-olds, the prevalence of caries was 84% (1). In addition, among certain populations (e.g., rural and inner-city residents, children whose parents have less than a high school education, and some racial/ethnic minorities), the prevalence of dental caries among children ranges from 52% to 92%. This report summarizes information regarding the efficacy, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of fluoridation of public water supplies in the United States.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology; D005457:Fluoridation / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D011634:Public Health; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology