The AADOCR Position Statement on Community Water Fluoridation

Community water fluoridation (CWF) is a foundational public health intervention that has significantly reduced the global burden of dental caries across the lifespan. The American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) reaffirms its strong support for CWF as a safe, evidence-based, and cost-saving method of delivering fluoride equitably to large populations. This updated position statement synthesizes nearly 8 decades of scientific literature, national surveillance data, and expert consensus to underscore the caries-preventive benefits of CWF and the role of fluoridation in reducing oral health disparities. AADOCR recommends the continued fluoridation of public water supplies at the optimal level of 0.7 mg/L and calls for sustained efforts in monitoring safety, improving public communication, and advancing research into fluoride's impact on oral and systemic health.