As the organization representing dental professionals across New York state, the New York State Dental Association (NYSDA) is in strong agreement with the American Dental Association (ADA) that adding fluoride to community water supplies is a critically important measure in preventing tooth decay.

With over 75 years of research, fluoride has been proven safe and effective, reducing tooth decay by about 25% in children and adults. Hailed by the CDC as one of the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century, fluoridation continues to be a powerful step toward providing equitable dental care for all.

On September 24, 2024, a federal court directed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take further action regarding fluoride levels in drinking water. However, the ruling did not ban or restrict the use of fluoride in public drinking water. Committed to ensuring optimal and accessible oral health for all New Yorkers, NYSDA strongly cautions towns against changing its pro-fluoridation policies based on one judge’s recent ruling. Reversing these policies would undermine decades of scientific consensus and public health progress. The potential risks mentioned in the National Toxicology Program (NTP) review were linked to fluoride levels higher than the current U.S. recommendation, and the review clearly acknowledged that no harm was found at the optimal level of 0.7 parts per million.

Approximately 13 million New York state residents currently benefit from fluoride in the water. NYSDA remains steadfast in its strong belief that this current number should only be increased in the months and years ahead. We encourage the public to rely on sound, evidence-based science and remain wary of misinformation circulating online. NYSDA's goal is to ensure optimal, accessible oral health for all New Yorkers.