January 25, 2020: Community Water Fluoridation 75th Anniversary Day

WHEREAS, January 25th of this year marks the 75^th anniversary of community water fluoridation, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has praised as one of the 10 “great public health achievements of the 20^th century”; and,

 

WHEREAS, 74 percent of all Michigan residents have access to fluoridated water, and 90 percent of Michigan residents on community water systems are accessing fluoridated water; and,

 

WHEREAS, Grand Rapids was the first city in the United States to use supplemental fluoride in the public water system, proving the safety and efficacy of fluoride in reducing dental disease; and,

 

WHEREAS, even today, with toothpaste and other available sources of fluoride, research shows that fluoridated water reduces the rate of tooth decay by nearly 25 percent over the lifespan; and,

 

WHEREAS, the National Institutes of Health reports that tooth decay is the most common chronic disease for children and adults; and,

 

WHEREAS, having toothaches or other dental problems can disrupt children’s ability to eat, sleep, speak, and learn, and, if left untreated, can threaten their overall health; and,

 

WHEREAS, significant dental problems can cause children to miss school which can hinder their learning, and adults to miss days of work, potentially causing financial loss or undermine their ability to find good paying jobs to begin with; and,

 

WHEREAS, research shows that with every $1 spent on fluoridation saves $40, because it reduces the need for fillings, crowns, and other dental treatments; and,

 

WHEREAS, on this day, we join with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, the American Water Works Association Michigan Section, and the City of Grand Rapids to recognize the 75^th anniversary of Community Water Fluoridation and the important role it plays in reducing the rate of cavities for residents;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim January 25, 2020, as Community Water Fluoridation 75^th Anniversary Day in Michigan.