Fluoridation Statistics

The adjustment of fluoride in drinking water to levels optimum for oral health was first implemented in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1945. The first surveys on water fluoridation status in the United States were compiled in 1952 by the American Dental Association Council on Dental Health and the American Water Works Association. The surveys identified which communities were implementing this emerging technology.

The U.S. Public Health Service has reported water fluoridation statistics periodically since 1956. The Water Fluoridation Census (Census) was published periodically from 1963 through 1992, reporting data compiled from the EPA, U.S. Census Bureau, and surveys of state drinking water and oral health programs. The CDC has been the lead agency in this effort since 1975, and an objective for water fluoridation has been included among the Healthy People national objectives since 1979.

Select reports between the years 1952 and 1992 are available by request. Please contact CDC-INFO, or call (404) 639-3534.

State maps are also available for each data year through Oral Health Data.