DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced last week that 79 Iowa communities have been recognized by the CDC as Water Fluoridation Quality Award recipients. Fluoridation is the adjustment of fluoride in the water to a level that is optimal for preventing tooth decay. The award recognizes those communities that maintained a consistent level of optimally fluoridated water throughout 2011.
“We are pleased that so many Iowa communities have achieved this measure of excellence in their water fluoridation programs,” said IDPH State Public Health Dental Director, Dr. Bob Russell, DDS, MPH. “Community water fluoridation is one of the most effective means available for avoiding tooth decay, preventing at least 25 percent of tooth decay in children and adults.”
Nationally, 2500 water systems in 33 states received these awards, a significant increase in the number of participating states and water systems from previous years.
Community water fluoridation has been recognized by CDC as one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th Century. Currently, nearly three-quarters (73.9 percent) – or 204 million people – served by community water systems have access to optimally fluoridated tap water. CDC recommends water fluoridation as a safe, effective, and inexpensive method of preventing decay. In fact, every $1 invested in fluoridation saves at least $38 in costs for dental treatment.
For more information on the IDPH Fluoridation program, visit www.idph.state.ia.us/eh/fluoridation.asp. For information about the benefits of fluoridation, see www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/benefits/background.htm.
The complete list of Iowa communities honored by the CDC is as follows: Algona, Ames, Anita, Aplington, Arlington, Atlantic, Audubon, Bayard, Bennett, Boone, Bellevue, Belmond, Breda, Britt, Carroll, Carson, Casey, Churdan, Clarence, Clarion, Conrad, Cresco, Des Moines Water Works, Dubuque, Durant, Eagle Grove, Eldridge, Elk Horn, Estherville, Fairfax, Forest City, Greenfield, Griswold, Guttenberg, Hampton, Harlan, Hartley, Hawarden, Independence, Kalona, Kanawha, Lamoni, Laurens, Logan, Madrid, Mahaska RWS, Manly, Milford, Minden, Montezuma, Newton, Onawa, Paullina, Pella, Perry, Pocahontas, Polk City, Red Oak, Ringsted, Rock Rapids, Scranton, Shenandoah, Sibley, Sioux Center, Slater, Sloan, Spirit Lake, Tama, Terril, University Water System, Van Meter, Ventura, Villisca, Waterloo, Waukon, West Central RWA-Boyer, West Central RWA – Nishnabotna, Whittemore, Winterset.
