AAE Champions Community Water Fluoridation for All—At Home and Abroad
The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) is proud to be at the forefront of national coalition efforts to advance community water fluoridation (CWF), both across the United States and on U.S. military bases abroad. As an active member of the Organized Dentistry Coalition, AAE plays a pivotal role in uniting stakeholders, promoting evidence-based policy, and accelerating progress toward sustainable oral health infrastructure. Together with our partners, we are amplifying a collective voice to ensure every community—civilian and military alike—has access to the scientifically proven benefits of fluoridated water.
The AAE has strongly opposed legislative efforts this year to ban community water fluoridation in states such as Utah and Florida. These measures threaten to undermine one of the most proven, science-based public health strategies and risk setting a dangerous precedent that could inspire similar actions elsewhere. Removing fluoride from municipal water supplies would jeopardize the oral health of all Americans—particularly children and underserved populations who rely most heavily on preventive care. AAE remains unwavering in its advocacy for equitable, data-driven public health policies that preserve and advance oral health at the community level.
Community water fluoridation is widely recognized by public health authorities and the dental profession as one of the most impactful strategies for preventing dental decay. Dr. Steven Katz, President of the AAE, underscores its importance: “Fluoride strengthens enamel and reduces the need for invasive procedures, such as root canals.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) attributes a 25% decline in cavities among children and adults to fluoridated water, making it a cornerstone of modern preventive care. These benefits are especially crucial for populations with limited access to dental services—such as military families stationed overseas—who depend on accessible, preventive solutions.
For military personnel and their families, oral health is more than a matter of wellness—it is a mission-critical component of overall readiness and well-being. Nearly two million beneficiaries rely on the TRICARE Dental Program, yet many overseas installations lack consistent access to on-base dental clinics, particularly for children. Fluoridated water, when combined with fluoride toothpaste, provides essential dual protection that cannot be easily replicated. Historical guidance from the Department of Defense (DoD) has consistently affirmed the necessity of maintaining optimal fluoride levels in water systems to support health and operational effectiveness. Eliminating this resource risks increasing dental disease rates and compromising deployability, especially among junior enlisted personnel.
AAE remains steadfast in its coalition efforts and joins the Organized Dentistry Coalition in strongly urging the Department of Defense to maintain the current standard of 0.7 mg/L of fluoride in all overseas military water systems. Upholding this standard is critical not only to protecting the health of service members and their families but also to preserving mission readiness and controlling healthcare costs across systems like TRICARE.
Together, we must continue to advocate for forward-thinking, evidence-based policies that ensure oral health equity and protect the hard-won public health gains of the past century.