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Community Water Fluoridation
Fluoridation of community water systems is the most effective public health measure available to prevent and control dental caries. It reaches people with little cost to individuals and is very important for our health and well-being. The Division of Oral Health works closely with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to monitor community water safety, provide education and technical expertise to the water supply operators in order to keep fluoride levels optimal.
Community water fluoridation is recognized as one of the ten most important achievements of Public Health.
Monitoring and surveillance includes: maintaining accurate records of the fluoridation levels of all Community Water Systems (CWS), compiling and recording into the computer database all monthly split sample fluoride test result data and summary of daily fluoride test results from CWS’s in Illinois, reporting fluoridation status to:
- CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Local Health Departments
- The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency through quarterly reports
Visit the My Water’s Fluoride Website at https://nccd.cdc.gov/DOH_MWF
Providing optimally fluoridated water to US communities for one year saves
$6.5B
in dental treatment costs and offers an average return of $20 for every $1 spent
On average, communities with water fluoridation experience 25% fewer cavities, saving $32 per person annually by avoiding dental treatment costs and leading to fewer missed work and school days.