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Fluoridation

Attention Alabama Public Water Systems: 2024 Grant Opportunity

The Alabama Department of Public Health Oral Health Office is excited to announce the 2024 Fluoridation Grant Opportunity. The grant will be competitive, and those awarded have the opportunity to receive up to $25,000 each to be used to start a new Community Water Fluoridation (CWF) program, resume a previously discontinued CWF program, or continue/expand an existing CWF program. To apply, please review and respond to the following Request For Proposal (RFP) by or before September 22, 2023.

A message from I Like My Teeth...

2021 Quality Fluoridation Awards

Congratulations to the 2021 Quality Fluoridation Award recipients! Click below to see who made our list for providing safe and superior quality fluoridated water for 12 consecutive months during 2021. Congratulations on a great year!

Virtual Education Conference: Oral Health & Community Water Fluoridation

The Oral Health & Community Water Fluoridation Conference for Alabama public water system operators was a HUGE success! Thank you to our wonderful speakers Tracy Boehmer, Dr. Johnny Johnson, Jason Bell, and Jody Coker for sharing your extensive knowledge on fluoridation and for helping us celebrate 75 years of community water fluoridation!

Fluoridation Resources

Fluoridation Toolkit

In support of Community Water Fluoridation and the positive impact it has had across the nation regarding oral health for over 70 years, the Alabama Department of Public Health Oral Health Office has drafted a State Fluoridation Toolkit to be downloaded, printed, shared, and distributed across Alabama.

Through collaboration with the Michigan Oral Health Coalition, the Missouri Oral Health Coalition, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), we are proud to present this Fluoridation Toolkit which can be used to aid in the education and understanding of the positive impact, and continued use of community water fluoridation.

Download your copy of the State Fluoridation Toolkit!

For more than 70 years, community water fluoridation has been scientifically proven to reduce dental caries and improve the quality of life for adults and children across the United States. Fluoridation is the process of adjusting the amount of fluoride naturally found in water to a level known to reduce tooth decay and promote good oral health. All water contains some level of the mineral known as fluoride; however, most natural sources are too low to have any impact on the prevention of cavities. By adjusting the amount of fluoride in drinking water to an optimal level, community water fluoridation has been shown to prevent cavities and save money both for families and the health care system.

The science and research behind community water fluoridation has proven that it is both safe and effective. As a result, the number of people who continue to benefit from this standard oral health practice has grown to more than 75% of the U.S population. Community water fluoridation is supported by the American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, US Public Health Service, World Health Organization, and the Center for Disease Control. With all the benefits of community water fluoridation, it is clear why the CDC named it one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.

For more information, visit the CDC's section on Oral Health.

Visit the CDC's My Water's Fluoride for information on the State of Alabama. To find out more about Alabama's water supply, visit the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

More Fluoride Questions and Answers

Pursuant to Act 2018-247, all public water systems wishing to initiate a change in the status of fluoridation must first submit via certified mail the attached request no fewer than 90 days before any change is made: Request to Change Status of Fluoridation





Page last updated: January 25, 2024