Thirty-Five Oklahoma Water Systems Achieve Excellence in Community Water Fluoridation

The Oklahoma State Department of Health announced today that 35 Oklahoma public water systems have been given a Water Fluoridation Quality Award from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fluoridation is the adjustment of fluoride in the drinking water to a level that is effective for preventing tooth decay. The award recognizes those systems in Oklahoma that achieved excellence in community water fluoridation by maintaining a consistent level of fluoridated water at least nine months through 2014.

For 2014, a total of 2,282 public water systems in 33 states received these awards.

“As we celebrate the 70^th anniversary of community water fluoridation, CDC and groups such as the Community Preventive Services Task Force continue to reaffirm our commitment to water fluoridation as one of the most effective steps a community can take to prevent tooth decay and promote oral health,” stated Katherine Weno, DDS, JD, Director, CDC Division of Oral Health. “Studies continue to show that water fluoridation prevents about 25% of tooth decay in children and adults.”

Community water fluoridation has been recognized by CDC as one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th Century. Currently, nearly three-quarters (74.6 percent)—or 210 million people—served by community water systems have access to optimally fluoridated tap water. CDC recommends water fluoridation as a safe, effective, and inexpensive method of preventing tooth decay. In fact, every $1 invested in fluoridation saves at least $32 in dental treatment costs.

“The Oklahoma State Department of Health supports community water fluoridation and recognizes the practice as beneficial to all who drink and use the water,” said Dr. Jana Winfree, Director of Dental Health Service at the Oklahoma State Department of Health.  “Healthy happy smiles improve the quality of life.”

“Preventive dental care programs, such as community water fluoridation, make a real difference improving the health status of Oklahomans,” said Winfree. “We acknowledged the great work of all these systems and their contribution to public health.”

The complete list of systems honored is included below:

ADA WATER WORKS

 

ARDMORE

 

ATOKA WATER TREATMENT PLANT

 

BARTLESVILLE WATER TREATMENT PLANT

 

CHICKASHA MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY

 

COLLINSVILLE WATER TREATMENT PLANT

 

DEL CITY

 

DURANT WATER TREATMENT PLANT

 

ENID WATER TREATMENT PLANT 1

 

ENID WATER TREATMENT PLANT 2

 

CITY OF KINGFISHER

 

THE CITY OF KREBS WATER DEPARTMENT

 

MADILL

 

MIDWEST CITY PUBLIC WORKS - WATER TREATMENT PLANT

 

MUSKOGEE WATER TREATMENT PLANT

 

VERNON CAMPBELL WATER TREATMENT PLANT - NORMAN

 

OKEMAH UTILITIES AUTHORITY

 

OKLA ORDNANCE WORKS AUTHORITY

 

OKLAHOMA CITY - DRAPER WATER TREATMENT PLANT

OKLAHOMA CITY - HEFNER WATER TREATMENT PLANT

OSU WATER TREATMENT PLANT - STILLWATER

PAWHUSKA

PONCA CITY MUNICIPAL WATER

POTEAU VALLEY IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY

THE CITY OF SALLISAW WATER TREATMENT PLANT

CITY OF SAND SPRINGS

SAPULPA

THE CITY OF STILLWATER

STILWELL

TAHLEQUAH PUBLIC WORKS AUTHORITY - ILLINOIS RIVER PLANT

TAHLEQUAH PUBLIC WORKS AUTHORITY - LAKE TENKILLER PLANT

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE

TULSA - A B JEWELL

TULSA - MOHAWK

McALESTER - US ARMY AMMUNITION PLANT