In 2012, national expenditure for dental services reached a staggering $111 billion.Dean went on to suggest that a fluoride concentration in the water supply of about one milligram per liter (1 mg/L) or 1 part per million (1ppm) -- roughly equivalent to a grain of salt in a gallon of water -- is associated with substantially fewer cavities.Extensive scientific evidence conclusively shows that water fluoridation and fluoride toothpastes substantially reduce dental caries, tooth decay, and are cost-effective.While fluoride is firmly established as an integral part of oral health, its role in public health still remains shrouded in some controversy.Yet many children and adults still go without measures that have been proven effective in preventing oral and dental diseases, and reduce dental care costs.How the Story Started
Over a century ago, in 1901 Dr. Frederick McKay arrived in Colorado Springs to start his dental practice, and began to investigate why so many of his patients had a mysterious brown staining of their teeth.