07/28/2026
Two cities made the same decision—and years later, children paid the price with more cavities.
Studies from Calgary, Canada, and Juneau, Alaska found that after community water fluoridation ended, childhood tooth decay increased and more dental treatment was needed. In Calgary, a 7-year follow-up found that children experienced significantly higher rates of tooth decay than those in neighboring Edmonton, where fluoridation continued. Earlier research from Juneau also reported increased dental treatment costs among young children after fluoridation was discontinued.
Fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel, making it more resistant to acid attacks from bacteria. At the recommended levels used in community water systems, decades of scientific evidence support water fluoridation as a safe, effective, and equitable public health measure for preventing tooth decay—especially in children who may have limited access to regular dental care.
These findings highlight the important role community water fluoridation plays in protecting children's oral health and suggest that ending fluoridation may have unintended consequences for dental health.
📄 References:
•McLaren L, et al. Community water fluoridation cessation and children's dental caries: A 7-year follow-up evaluation. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology. 2022.
•Meyer F, et al. An assessment of the impacts of four decades of water fluoridation on the oral health of children in Juneau, Alaska. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology. 2018.
