Fort Wood, Rolla, And Lebanon Receive Water Fluoridation Excellence Recognition

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has announced that several community water systems have been awarded a Water Fluoridation Quality Award from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
These area communities are Fort Leonard Wood, Lebanon, Rolla, and Camden County Public Water Supply District 4 in the Horseshoe Bend area.
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.
Community water fluoridation has been recognized by the 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.