CDC honors Perryville, other Mo public water systems for fluoridation quality

JEFFERSON CITY, MO – The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services announced today the following community water systems have been awarded a Water Fluoridation Quality Award from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

 

Albany

Bethany

Cameron

Higginsville

Harrisonville

Kansas City

Kearney

MO American Water

St. Joseph

Liberty

Brookfield

Canton

Carrollton

Chillicothe

Glasgow

Hannibal

Kahoka

Keytesville

Kirksville

LaGrange

Marceline

Moberly

Shelbina

Slater

Trenton

Boonville

Columbia

Jefferson City

Rolla

Camden County Public Water Supply District 4 – Horseshoe Bend

Fort Leonard Wood

Cape Girardeau

Cole County Public Water Supply District 1

Charleston

Dexter

Cole County Public Water Supply District 4

Park Hills

Fredericktown

Butler County Public Water Supply District 3

Matthews

Perryville

Royal Lake Estates

Scott City

Joplin

Lamar

Lebanon

Nixa

Eureka

St. Louis City

Jefferson County Public Water Supply District 5

Lake Winnebago

Jefferson County Public Water Supply District 8

Missouri American Water

St. Louis – St. Charles Counties

Jefferson County Public Water Supply District 7

 

Fluoridation is the adjustment of fluoride in drinking water to a level that is effective for preventing tooth decay. The award recognizes those communities that achieved excellence in community water fluoridation by maintaining a consistent level of fluoride in drinking water throughout 2022.

For 2022, a total of 1,209 public water systems in 27 states received these awards, including 53 in Missouri.

 

“Water fluoridation is one of the best investments that a community can make in maintaining the oral health of its citizens. It is equally as effective in preventing cavities in children and adults,” stated Casey Hannan, MPH, Director, CDC Division of Oral Health. “Fluoridation is also highly cost effective. Studies continue to show that for every $1 a community invests in water fluoridation, $20 are saved in dental treatment costs.”

 

Community water fluoridation has been recognized by CDC as one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century. CDC recommends water fluoridation as one of the most practical, cost-effective, equitable and safe measures a community can take to prevent tooth decay and improve oral health.

 

“We are so very excited to present this award to these Missouri community water systems and offer our continued support from the Office of Dental Health,” said Missouri State Dental Director Jacqueline Miller, DDS, MS, MPH. “Water operators are the unsung champions of this public health initiative providing safe, clean and fluoridated water. They deserve our praise, admiration and appreciation as they continue to protect the oral health of their community.”