Division of Oral Health Water Fluoridation Leadership

Today, CDC’s Division of Oral Health in the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP) provides national leadership in water fluoridation practice to state programs. CDC also collaborates with many national associations and organizations to further water fluoridation practice. The CDC leadership includes training of state officials, assistance in management of water fluoridation activities, technical and engineering support, and information on health effects. In 1998, NCCDPHP developed the Water Fluoridation Reporting System in partnership with the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD) to collect data about water fluoridation management across the United States. The Water Fluoridation Reporting System has a dual role, both supporting state program management as well as acting as the principal national surveillance tool for water fluoridation. An important use of the system is the biannual water fluoridation report, providing statistics on the extent of water fluoridation within the United States. Extensive information on water fluoridation, including benefits, safety, data, technical resources and current guidelines and recommendations, is available to state programs and the public at CDC’s community water fluoridation website.