The Organised Dentistry Coalition, which includes the American Dental Association, has called on the US Department of Defense to maintain existing water fluoridation levels on military bases abroad.
In a letter dated 19 Jun, the coalition stressed that water fluoridation is “essential to dental health, which remains a critical component of military readiness and directly impacts the health of service members and their families”.
According to the letter, many dependents stationed overseas are unable to access base dental clinics and must rely instead on local providers via the TRICARE Dental Program. The coalition warned that without proper fluoridation, this group faces a heightened risk of dental problems.
It further pointed out that the link between fluoridated water and dental readiness has been long acknowledged in policy, citing a 2003 directive that supported the Department of Health and Human Services’ Healthy People initiative, which included a goal of providing optimally fluoridated water. Dental decay, the letter noted, is a leading cause of nondeployable status among junior enlisted personnel and can lead to severe health complications.
“Given the documented benefits of fluoridation in reducing cavities and promoting overall health, we strongly urge the [Department of Defense] to maintain the current water fluoridation standard of 0.7 mg/L in public water systems on overseas bases,” the Coalition wrote. “Doing so will safeguard military readiness while ensuring families continue to receive essential preventive health care.”
The letter was co-signed by several professional organisations, including the academy of general dentistry, American academy of oral & maxillofacial pathology, American academy of paediatric dentistry, American academy of periodontology, American association for dental, oral, and craniofacial research, American association of endodontists, American association of oral and maxillofacial surgeons, American association of orthodontists, American student dental association, and the society of American Indian dentists.
Source: American Dental Association
