For almost 70 years, community water fluoridation has been a scientifically proven, safe and cost effective way to strengthen teeth for people of all ages and to reduce tooth decay rates by about 25%.¹ The fluoride mineral is especially important for children age 0-5 to help fortify the enamel in their developing teeth. CDC has recognized water fluoridation as one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.²

In 2008, the Nebraska Legislature passed a law to require all Nebraska cities with over 1,000 people to add fluoride.³ Cities had the option to opt against this and 49 communities did (including Grand Island, Hastings and Beatrice). In 2014 approximately 70% of Nebraskans were drinking from community water systems with optimal fluoride levels which was slightly below the 2014 national average (74.7%), and the HP 2020 target of 79.6%. Below is a map that indicates the percentage of population in each Nebraska county that has access to public water that contains the recommended fluoridation levels.

Sources:

1. American Dental Association. Fluoridation Facts; 2005. Available at: http://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Member%20Center/FIles/fluoridation_facts.ashx.

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Community Water Fluoridation; 07/10/2013. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/.

3. Fluoride Action Network. State Fluoride Database, Nebraska. Retrieved Date: 2/4/2015. Available at:http://fluoridealert.org/researchers/states/nebraska/.