Water Fluoridation Guidelines & Recommendations

CDC works closely with other federal agencies, external experts, and researchers to gather and publish recommendations around various health topics. Below are links to those related to fluoride in water.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

In 2015, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published U.S. Public Health Service Recommendation for Fluoride Concentration in Drinking Water for the Prevention of Dental Caries.

Surgeon General's Perspective on Community Water Fluoridation.  Statement from Surgeon General Vivek K. Murthy.

Community Preventive Services Task Force

In 2013, The Community Preventive Services Task Force reaffirmed and updated its recommendation for water fluoridation based on strong evidence of effectiveness in reducing tooth decay (dental caries) across populations. It first made a recommendation in support of community water fluoridation in 2001.

• Task Force Finding and Rationale Statement: Preventing Dental Caries: Community Water Fluoridation. 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

CDC Scientific Statement [PDF – 248 KB]. CDC Division of Oral Health Director's statement of support on community water fluoridation.

Fact Sheet on Community Water Fluoridation [PDF-283KB]. Key facts on Community Water Fluoridation.

Recommendations for Using Fluoride to Prevent and Control Dental Caries in the United States. MMWR, August 17, 2001;50 (RR-14):1–42.
These CDC recommendations provide guidance to health care providers, public health officials, policymakers, and the general public on how to achieve the most protection from tooth decay from fluoride products.

Engineering and Administrative Recommendations for Water Fluoridation, 1995. MMWR, September 29, 1995;44(RR–13):1–40.
This report provides specific recommendations on the engineering aspects of water fluoridation, including administration, monitoring and surveillance, technical requirements, and safety procedures for community public water supply systems. Also available as a [PDF–338K].