Data for 40 states shown in this chart come from two separate documents published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention: 1) "Percentage of third-grade students with treated or untreated tooth decay" (no comparable data for 10 states) 2) "Fluoridation Status: Percentage of U.S. Populations on Public Water Supply Systems Receiving Fluoridated Water" If this tooth-decay chart represents the quality of data that justifies the policy of prescribing fluoride for everyone via their drinking water, then fluoridation's more consistent correlation with mental retardation and with arthritis provides even more compelling evidence to immediately stop fluoridation. Ontario has Canada's highest rate of water fluoridation, while Quebec has one of the lowest, with practically no one drinking fluoridated water. But the two provinces have very little difference in tooth-decay rates; less than half a cavity per child. – The Globe and Mail, April 15, 2010 Another example showing the lack of correlation between water fluoridation and tooth decay is seen the first national Oral Health Report Card (2000). See Reference #4 for a reality check about the CDC's best rationale for water fluoridation. Turns out that its flagship claim of an 18% reduction in tooth decay is statistical spin. The data actually show water fluoridation has an insignificant effect on the oral health of children. Kathleen M. Thiessen, PhD, concluded in her May 27, 2010 comments to EPA: "The best recent data available indicate little or no beneficial effect of water fluoridation on oral health." In his comments, Paul Connett, PhD, cited 13 studies and reviews published since 1980 that "indicate little difference in tooth decay between fluoridated and non-fluoridated communities." Fluoride works topically: applied directly to teeth, not by swallowing it. The true link to tooth decay is income status, not fluoridation status. Poorer kids everywhere have more tooth decay. (See Reference #13.) What's Lead Got to Do with It? Fluoridation chemicals leach lead into drinking water which increases lead levels in children's blood. (See also References #29 & 30.) Research shows that "environmental lead exposure is associated with an increased prevalence of dental caries in the US population." – "Association of Dental Caries and Blood Lead Levels," JAMA, June 23, 1999 Water fluoridation also has an inconsistent effect on tooth loss. Find your state data for rates of fluoridation compared to tooth decay, tooth loss, arthritis, and mental retardation in one table. Charts of CDC data show statistical associations between states' fluoridation rates and adverse health effects. Water Fluoridation – Sales Pitch vs. Reality Check is a comprehensive 2008 report by John D. MacArthur whose recent comments to EPA summarize epidemiological data suggesting millions of Americans are suffering adverse health conditions resulting from the failure to properly regulate fluoride in drinking water. This page revised July 12, 2010.