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Red is bad, green is good, blue is not statistically different/neutral.

Compared to Distribution

an indicator guage with the arrow in the green the value is in the best half of communities.

an indicator guage with the arrow in the yellow the value is in the 2nd worst quarter of communities.

an indicator guage with the arrow in the red the value is in the worst quarter of communities.

Compared to Target

green circle with white tick inside it meets target; red circle with white cross inside it does not meet target.

Compared to a Single Value

green diamond with downward arrow inside it lower than the comparison value; red diamond with downward arrow inside it higher than the comparison value; blue diamond with downward arrow inside it not statistically different from comparison value.

Trend

green square outline with upward trending arrow inside it green square outline with downward trending arrow inside it non-significant change over time; green square with upward trending arrow inside it green square with downward trending arrow inside it significant change over time; blue square with equals sign no change over time.

Compared to Prior Value

green triangle with upward trending arrow inside it higher than the previous measurement period; green triangle with downward trending arrow inside it lower than the previous measurement period; blue equals sign no statistically different change from previous measurement period.

green chart bars Significantly better than the overall value

red chart bars Significantly worse than the overall value

light blue chart bars No significant difference with the overall value

gray chart bars No data on significance available

Population with Optimally Fluoridated Water

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Measurement Period: 2006

This indicator shows the percentage of the population receiving the oral health benefit of optimal levels of fluoride through community water supplies.

Why is this important?

Water fluoridation, the adding of fluoride to public water supplies, has been conducted in the US since 1945 and has been proven effective in reducing tooth decay and thus reducing the burden of dental cavities in the population. A level of fluoride between 0.9 and 1.2 milligrams per liter is considered optimal for residents to receive the oral health benefits. Fluoridated water prevents tooth decay by creating low levels of fluoride in saliva, which helps to reduce the rate at which tooth enamel demineralizes. Over 70% of the US population on public water systems have access to optimally fluoridated water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention named water fluoridation as one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century.

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