Brought to you by: SHPDA (the State Health Planning and Development Agency)

Fluoridation of drinking water is one of the most significant public health success stories of the century. For the past 50 years, fluoride has dramatically improved the oral health of millions of Americans. 

Community water fluoridation benefits people of all ages and socioeconomic groups, especially those without access to regular dental care.

CURRENT SITUATION in HAWAI`I

• Hawai`i’s tooth decay rates are among the highest in the nation.
• Public elementary school age children have tooth decay rates that are at least twice the national average.
• Maui County water is not fluoridated.

• Fluoridation reduces tooth decay in children by 60% and in adults by 35%.

• There is a record of safety and effectiveness in the United States. Studies over the past 50 years have repeatedly confirmed the safety of water fluoridation.
• Fluoride is a natural element found in rocks, soil, and fresh and ocean water.

• Every dollar spent on fluoridation will save $60 - $80 in health care costs.
• The average annual cost is estimated at $1 per person per year.

• The American Dental Association, U.S. Public Health Service, American Medical Association and World Health Organization are among more than 90 national and international organizations that recognize the public health benefits of community water fluoridation for preventing tooth decay.

Source: Fluoridation Facts, American Dental Association; Dental Health Among Young Children in Hawai`i, Mark Greer, DMD, MPH, Chief, Dental Health Division, Department of Health; Community Water Fluoridation Fact Sheet, Mark Greer, DMD, MPH; Fluoride Fact Sheet, Kaua`i Dental Health Task Force.

Average Number of Decayed Primary Teeth (dft) Per Child Ages 5 through 9

Location	Decayed Primary Teeth
U.S. Mainland (1987)	1.884
Hawai`i (1989)	3.890
Hawai`i (1999)	3.914

 

Data by Region . . . 1999 Hawai`i Findings

Region	Decayed Teeth	National Average
O`ahu	3.898	1.884
Central O`ahu	3.367	1.884
Leeward O`ahu	3.917	1.884
Windward O`ahu	3.999	1.884
Honolulu	4.197	1.884
Hawai`i	3.428	1.884
East Hawai`i	3.548	1.884
West Hawai`i	3.245	1.884
Kaua`i	4.123	1.884
Maui	4.259	1.884
Moloka`i	4.035	1.884
Lana`i	5.034	1.884
Ni`ihau	n/a	1.884

 
 

Data by Ethnicity . . . 1999 Hawai`i Findings

Ethnicity	Decayed Teeth	National Average
Blacks	2.056	1.884
Caucasians	2.246	1.884
Japanese	2.748	1.884
Hispanics	3.230	1.884
Chinese	3.565	1.884
Native Hawaiians	4.182	1.884
Koreans	4.234	1.884
Other Pacific Islanders	4.552	1.884
Southeast Asians	4.552	1.884
Filipinos	5.479	1.884

 
 

Proportion of 5 Year Old Children with "Baby Bottle Tooth Decay"

Location	Percent
U.S. mainland (1987)	5.0%
Hawai`i (1989)	17.0%
Hawai`i (1999)	13.6%

 

1999 Hawai`i Findings . . .

Finding	Area	Percent
Regional LOW	West Hawai`i	5.6%
Regional HIGH	Lana`i	23.3%
Ethnic LOW	Blacks	1.6%
Ethnic HIGH	Filipinos	24.9%
Community Schools	3.901 Decayed Teeth	13.6%
Military Schools	1.487 Decayed Teeth	1.2% (water is fluoridated on military bases)

(Taken in part from "Dental Health Among Young Children in Hawai`i" by Mark Greer, DMD, MPH, Chief, Dental Health Division Department of Health and Dental Consultant, Med-QUEST division, Department of Human Services, January 2000)