Abstract
Community water fluoridation (CWF) has been celebrated as a major public health achievement, significantly reducing dental caries and narrowing oral health disparities. While historically effective, today’s fluoride exposure landscape has shifted, with multiple sources contributing to cumulative intake. This article reviews the scientific foundation, mechanisms of action, public health benefits, and ethical considerations surrounding CWF, alongside real-world outcomes from policy reversals. It examines contemporary concerns, including potential neurodevelopmental risks and vulnerable populations, and calls for recalibrated policies that maintain caries prevention benefits while monitoring total fluoride exposure to ensure safety in modern contexts.
Recommended Citation
Williams, Larry and Kanjirath, Preetha
(2025)
"21st-Century Dental Public Health: Revisiting the Role of Community Water Fluoridation,"
Journal of the American College of Dentists: Vol. 92:
No.
1, Article 6.
Available at:
https://commons.ada.org/jacd/vol92/iss1/6
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