This year marks the 75th anniversary of the first community water fluoridation in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It set off a standard against which the entire country would be judged and it established one of the top public health achievements in the modern world. It was the work of a dentist named Dr. Frederick McKay who put in thirty years of research to give us what has become our best tool to be used against decay. Tooth decay is still the #1 childhood disease but because of his work, we now have a better understanding of optimal water fluoride levels. Not all communities should have his original amount of 1 part per million (ppm). Depending on the climate and how much water is consumed by growing children, the levels should be adjusted. In the temperate climate of West Chester, Pa, we really only need about .33 ppm From what we have heard from patients that have tested, this seems to be a prevailing level. Please let us know at your next visit if you have any questions about this and other dental topics. If we don’t know the answer, we will find it for you!
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