The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), the leading authority on children’s oral health, is joined by 250 of the foremost health professional organizations and research bodies in a coalition letter affirming the safety and efficacy of community water fluoridation. Supporters include the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Dental Association, Families USA, First Focus on Children, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, Center for Medicare Advocacy, Justice in Aging, state health societies, disabilities advocacy organizations, and many more.
The letter is being sent to members of Congress and health officials in the administration.
Read the full letter at www.aapd.org/aapd-affirms-cwf.
This letter is in response to the announced intentions of Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to order the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to direct the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to stop recommending fluoridated water. Additionally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency indicated they will follow suit with Secretary Kennedy’s directives. The AAPD and joint organizations are deeply concerned about the impact this will have on the oral health and overall health of children and adults in the years to come.
Community water fluoridation remains the only way to ensure that all people—especially those who are at greatest risk for dental disease and who have the fewest resources to maintain their oral health—can reap its cavity-preventing benefits. Dental teams, other health care professionals, and public health officials work together with patients and families to identify the various sources of fluoride being consumed or used and determine if they are sufficient for preventing cavities while not leading to issues like fluorosis. We remain committed to fluoride in water as a way to reach those most in need, and we support continued research that can inform and update its optimal level over time.
We have so much more work to do to ensure all people can get the dental care they need and achieve optimal oral health. Community water fluoridation has been a proven safe, effective, equitable way of helping us work toward that goal in the United States. Our organizations remain prepared and ready to support local and state efforts to preserve community water fluoridation for the benefit of all.
About the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) is the recognized authority on children’s oral health. Founded in 1947, the AAPD is a not-for-profit professional membership association representing the specialty of pediatric dentistry. Its nearly 12,000 members provide primary care and comprehensive dental specialty treatments for infants, children, adolescents, and individuals with special health care needs. As advocates for the optimal oral health of all children, the AAPD promotes evidence-based policies, best practices, and clinical guidelines; educates and informs policymakers, parents and guardians, and other health care professionals; supports research; and provides continuing professional education for pediatric dentists and general dentists who treat children. Visit the AAPD website at www.aapd.org or the AAPD’s consumer website at www.mychildrensteeth.org for more from the BIG Authority on little teeth.
