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JEFFERSON CITY, MO - The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services announced today that 19 Missouri public water systems have been awarded a Water Fluoridation Quality Award from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Fluoridation is the adjustment of fluoride in drinking water to a level that is effective for preventing tooth decay.  The award recognizes communities that achieved excellence in community water fluoridation by maintaining a consistent level of fluoride in drinking water throughout 2016.  Those communities are as follows:

For 2016, a total of 1,360 public water systems in 29 states received these awards, including those in Missouri.

\"Water fluoridation is one of the best investments that a community can make to maintain the oral health of its citizens.  It is equally as effective in preventing cavities in children and adults,\" states Casey Hannan, MPH, Acting Director, CDC Division of Oral Health. 

Fluoridation is highly cost effective.  Studies continue to show that for every $1 a community invests in water fluoridation, $38 are saved in dental treatment costs.

Community water fluoridation has been recognized by CDC as one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20^th 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.

About the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services: The department seeks to be the leader in promoting, protecting and partnering for health. More information about DHSS can be found at health.mo.gov.