Kaiser Permanente provides high-quality, affordable health care services to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. Our commitment to community health prompts this letter to support Durango’s current policy and practice of supplementing water with fluoride when the natural concentrations fall below the levels recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Medical Association, the American Dental Association and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Community water fluoridation (CWF) is currently recommended by all of the above highly-respected health organizations, based on the strong evidence of effectiveness in reducing dental cavities (caries) across populations. In addition, the independent Community Preventive Services Task Force (Task Force) in 2013 recommended CWF, citing strong evidence of effectiveness, an update of its 2000 recommendation for CWF.
In its 2013 review of evidence, the Task Force analyzed 161 peer reviewed studies on various aspects of CWF, including effect of CWF on dental cavities, oral health disparities, and dental fluorosis. The Task Force concluded, “Overall the body of evidence indicates that Community Water Fluoridation is an effective intervention for reducing caries at the population level. At optimal fluoride concentration, associated risks are predominantly the milder forms of fluoroisis that are only detectable under clinical examination.”
The Task Force is an independent, nonfederal, unpaid panel of public health experts that provides evidence-based findings and recommendations about community preventive services, programs, and policies to improve health.
Tooth decay (cavities) is one of the most common chronic conditions for children in the United States, with about 20 percent of children 5-11 years of age having at least one untreated decayed tooth. Untreated tooth decay can cause pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing, and learning. Tooth decay is preventable, and children living in communities with CWF have fewer decayed teeth than children who live in areas where their tap water is not fluoridated.
As a provider of high-quality, evidence-based clinical services and health promotion and disease prevention programs, Kaiser Permanente supports Durango’s policy of fluoridation at the nationally recommended target level.
Jandel T. Allen-Davis, MD
Denver
Editor’s note: Dr. Allen-Davis is Vice President of Government, External Relations and Research of Kaiser Permanente Colorado in Denver.
