What's being debated?

A quick primer on both sides of the fluoride debate.

Sort through the science

From the Front Line

Why Brushing with Fluoride Toothpaste Isn’t Enough: A New Study Offers Insights

June 24, 2026

State and local policymakers are often told that community water fluoridation is no longer necessary because fluoride toothpaste alone is enough to protect teeth from decay. “If more adults and…

Appellate Court Rules in Favor of the EPA in Fluoride Matter

June 23, 2026

On May 21, 2026, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit overturned a lower court’s ruling that would have required the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue new…

Another New Study Reinforces Safety of Fluoridation

April 29, 2026

A new study strengthens confidence about the safety of fluoride in drinking water, bolstering other recently published research that finds no link between fluoridated water and cognitive deficits. The results…

View All »

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.