Oral Health
Insight on Recent Reports on Fluoride and Community Water Fluoridation
A report was released early in the year in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) that highlighted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 74 international studies on the impact of fluoride exposure, specifically on IQ. Questions were raised about the impact of this report on recommendations for products with fluoride, water fluoridation, and how to speak to parents and providers about the continued use of fluoride. Science still tells us that exposure to fluoride at the optimal level will help strengthen enamel and make it more resistant to cavities. Fluoride is safe.
The study did not review any US data, more than 2/3 of the reports were rated with high risk of bias, and the exposure amount noted was over 1.5 mg/L. The scientifically-recommended fluoride level for community water fluoridation in the U.S. is 0.7 mg/L. Regarding community water fluoridation in Idaho—with the exception of Mountain Home Air Force Base, NO public water system in the state adds fluoride. Any fluoride found in Idaho water occurs naturally.
Medical and dental providers may prescribe supplemental systemic fluoride to aid in oral health if indicated. Accessible for everyone, the best resource to determine the level of fluoride in a public water system is the CDC Website, My Water’s Fluoride, which tracks reported fluoride levels by state, by county, and by public water system. Supplements can be prescribed in liquid tablet, or lozenge form. The AAP recommends following the CDC fluoride supplemental dosage schedule. (See Table 2 in this AAP article.)
News & Updates
- Delta Dental of Idaho: Oral Health Grant Application Opens October 2
Delta Dental of Idaho is seeking submissions for the Fall 2025 cycle of their Oral Health Grant Program. Grants may be awarded in amounts between $5,000 to $25,000 for capacity building, capital and equipment, and special projects focused on improving dental infrastructure and workforce capacity in Idaho; improving access to affordable, timely, and high-quality dental health care; and reducing oral disease through education, prevention, and treatment. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) public charities or government entities and their instrumentalities who serve individuals in the state of Idaho. The online application opens October 2, 2025, and closes October 21, 2025. Decisions will be made in early December. - IOHA Website Now Available in Spanish
- 2024 IOHA Annual Report (pdf)
- DentaQuest Names M. Colleen Stephenson as a 2024 Health Access Hero (website)
- Clinical Report: Oral Health Care for Children and Youth With Developmental Disabilities (website)
- HealthyChildren.org: Oral Health Care for Children With Developmental Disabilities (website)
Links & Resources
- Idaho Oral Health Alliance
We hope you will continue your support of the IOHA by joining us as a member. Annual memberships start every January, but you can join at any time. For more information or to pay your dues, visit https://www.idahooralhealth.org/membership/ - Introducing SDF into Pediatrics: Findings on Considerations for Integration and Collaboration for Patient Referrals - Webinar Slides (pdf)
- Medical Health Portal - Dental & Oral Health Screening (website)
- 2022 IOHA Annual Report (pdf)
- Release of Idaho's First Oral Health Workforce Assessment (pdf)
- Idaho Oral Health Alliance Receives Grants (website)
- CDC Initiative Creates New Water Fluoridation Technology to Support Rural Health Needs (website)
- AAP: Fluoride varnish is billable and implementable (website)
According to Pediatric News, with fluoride varnish treatments now on the Bright Futures periodicity schedule, reimbursement is attainable, and pediatricians can focus on integrating the 45- to 60-second procedure into their practices and strengthening their oral health messaging to families. - Idaho Oral Health Network Update – November 2015 (pdf)
- Healthy Me Update – November 2015 (pdf)
From the Idaho Oral Health Alliance - US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations Ages 0-5 (website)
- Schedule of Screenings & Assessments Recommended at Each Well-child Visit from Infancy through Adolescence (website)
From the American Academy of Pediatrics - Idaho Receives A Grade in PEW Dental Sealant Report (pdf)