What's being debated?

A quick primer on both sides of the fluoride debate.

Sort through the science

From the Front Line

New Report Points to Fluoride Benefits and Safety

February 4, 2026

The Chief Medical Officer in England requested that the Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS) review the international evidence related to the impact of an optimal level of fluoride in drinking…

Study Finds No Fluoride Link to Birth Weight

February 4, 2026

In recent years, questions have been raised about whether fluoride exposure might be linked to adverse birth outcomes, such as infants with below normal body weights. Researchers at Columbia University…

Large U.S. Study Finds No Cognitive Harm from Fluoride

November 25, 2025

A new study reports no link between fluoridated water and cognitive performance on reading, vocabulary and math tests. The authors summarized their key finding, writing “We find that children exposed…

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The Campaign for Dental Health (CDH) was created to ensure that people of all ages have access to the most effective and affordable way to protect teeth from decay — community water fluoridation (CWF). Why? Not that long ago, run-away cavities and gap-toothed smiles were commonplace. Thankfully, the past half century has seen lots of progress. Better dental care and widespread fluoridation have vastly improved our oral health.

But this progress has been uneven. Millions of people, especially poor and minority children, suffer needlessly from dental problems. Poor oral health leads to missed hours of school and work, more costly and involved treatment, and sometimes life-threatening infections. Community water fluoridation is the safest, most effective and equitable way to help reduce and prevent dental disease for people of all ages.

The CDH is a broad network of oral health advocates, health professionals, child and family organizations, and scientists working together to preserve our nation’s gains in oral health. Our mission is to provide the public and policy makers with the evidence-based information and tools they need to promote and protect fluoridation. Read more about the CDH here.

We encourage you to read more about how fluoride works, the debate over fluoridation, and common myths and facts. Find resources to help you act now to promote oral health. Learn and share accurate, science-based information about CWF. We have answers to common questions about fluoride and guidance on how to protect children’s teeth. Or type your questions directly into the search box.