This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of water flouridation, a process of adjusting flouride levels of community water supplies to an optimal level of 0.7-1.2 parts per milion. Water flouridation, along with smallpox vaccination, has been said to be one of the most successful public health measures in history.

Grands Rapids, Michigan, was the first community to begin flouridating water as part of a 15-year public health study to investigate the safety, feasibility and effectiveness of flouridating public water. After 11 years of flouridation the results were dramatic. Dental decay was reduced by 60 percent or more with no risk to consumers.

Many studies have been completed since this first study, and the results of these studies have shown flouridation to be safe, effective and inexpensive.

Today 62 percent of Americans enjoy the benefits of water flouridation at a cost of just 54 cents a year per person. Flouridation is recognized by health officials as the most effective public health measure to reduce tooth decay.

Flouride, which is a mineral that occurs naturally in all water supplies, incorporates into tooth structure to help remineralize the tooth. The tooth is left stronger and more resistant to decay.