Research Alert: February 7, 2012

Water Fluoridation and Dental Health Indicators in Rural and Urban Areas of the United States

An adequate level of fluoride in public drinking water is an effective, safe and inexpensive method to reduce dental caries, especially in children.  Rural populations are more likely to rely on untreated, unfluoridated domestic wells.  Not all public water systems have adequate fluoridation raising the possibility that rural populations are less likely to be protected against dental caries. This study investigated whether or not the availability of fluoridated water across urban-rural settings is statistically associated with poorer dental health outcomes for both adults and children.

Contact information:

Michael Hendryx, PhD
West Virginia Rural Health Research Center
Phone: 304-293-9206
mhendryx@hsc.wvu.edu

Additional Resources of Interest:

• Chartbook: Dental Health and Access to Care among Rural Children: A National and State Portrait (Full Report)
• Crisis in Rural Dentistry (Policy Brief)
• More information about the West Virginia Rural Health Research Center
  

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