Community water fluoridation began in the 1940s. Since then the number of community water systems and the number of people served by fluoridated systems have been steadily increasing. Currently about two-thirds of the US population receives fluoride through their community water system. This has been an important factor in the steady decrease in tooth decay rates.
|
Total U.S. Population |
281,421,906 |
|
U.S. Population on Public Water Supply Systems |
253,104,805 |
|
U.S. Population Not Served by Public Water Supply Systems |
28,317,101 |
|
Total U.S. Population on Fluoridated Drinking Water Systems |
170,321,020 |
|
Percentage of U.S. Population Receiving Fluoridated Water
(170.3 million divided by 281.4 million) |
60.5% |
|
Percentage of Total U.S. Population on Public Water
Supply Systems Receiving Fluoridated Water
(170.3 million divided by 246.1 million) |
67.3% |
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2002 Water Fluoridation Reporting System (WFRS)