Recognizing community water fluoridation as a safe, effective public health intervention to prevent tooth decay and promote oral and physical health.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1087 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1087

 Recognizing community water fluoridation as a safe, effective public 
    health intervention to prevent tooth decay and promote oral and 
                            physical health.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 26, 2026

 Ms. Lois Frankel of Florida (for herself, Ms. Barragan, Ms. Castor of 
 Florida, Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick, Mr. Frost, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, 
  Ms. McCollum, Ms. Morrison, Mr. Moskowitz, Mr. Soto, Ms. Wasserman 
Schultz, and Ms. Wilson of Florida) submitted the following resolution; 
       which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Recognizing community water fluoridation as a safe, effective public 
    health intervention to prevent tooth decay and promote oral and 
                            physical health.

Whereas oral health is integral to overall health and well-being, affecting a 
        person's ability to eat, speak, learn, and work;
Whereas caries disease (commonly known as tooth decay or cavities) is one of the 
        most common chronic diseases in children and adults, despite being 
        largely preventable;
Whereas tooth decay can lead to pain, abscess (infections), swelling, bleeding 
        gums, damaged or broken teeth, tooth loss, tooth sensitivity, inability 
        to chew, shift in teeth positioning, weight loss and malnutrition, a 
        weakened immune system, fatigue, heart disease, heart attacks, worsening 
        of existing health conditions, including diabetes, osteoporosis, and 
        HIV/AIDS, and other health issues;
Whereas tooth decay has led to infections that have resulted in death;
Whereas, in 2007, 12-year-old Deamonte Driver died after bacteria from an 
        abscessed tooth traveled to his brain;
Whereas, in 2009, 24-year-old Kyle Willis died after being unable to afford 
        antibiotics to treat a tooth infection, which spread to his brain;
Whereas, in 2017, 26-year-old Vadim Kondratyuk, a father of 2 young children, 
        died of a tooth infection that spread to his blood and lungs;
Whereas, each year, there are thousands of hospitalizations and multiple deaths 
        in the United States due to dental infections;
Whereas 1 in 4 adults has untreated tooth decay;
Whereas nearly 1,000,000 Americans visit the emergency room each year because of 
        dental pain, costing the Nation's health care system hundreds of 
        millions of dollars;
Whereas tooth decay is nearly always preventable;
Whereas fluoride is an essential component in preventing tooth decay, reducing 
        tooth decay by about 25 percent;
Whereas fluoride is naturally found in almost all soil and water and in many 
        rocks;
Whereas many communities add a small amount of fluoride to their water supply to 
        prevent cavities and promote good oral and physical health;
Whereas community water fluoridation, the adjustment of fluoride in drinking 
        water to optimal levels to prevent tooth decay, has been supported by 
        more than 75 years of scientific research and has been recognized by the 
        Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as 1 of the 10 great public 
        health achievements of the 20th century;
Whereas, since its introduction in 1945, community water fluoridation has led to 
        a dramatic decline in cavities;
Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 
        communities with water fluoridation save $32 per person annually by 
        avoiding dental treatment costs and leading to fewer missed workdays and 
        schooldays;
Whereas providing optimally fluoridated water to communities nationwide for 1 
        year saves $6,500,000,000 in dental treatment costs and offers an 
        average return on investment of $20 for every dollar spent;
Whereas community water fluoridation is a cost-effective, equitable, and 
        accessible means of delivering preventive oral health care to 
        populations regardless of age, income, or access to regular dental 
        services;
Whereas leading health organizations, including the American Dental Hygienists' 
        Association, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American 
        Association of Public Health Dentistry, the American Association for 
        Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research, and the World Health 
        Organization, support community water fluoridation as a safe and 
        effective public health measure;
Whereas community water fluoridation has long enjoyed bipartisan support at 
        local, State, and Federal levels as a practical, evidence-based public 
        health solution;
Whereas Florida and Utah became the first States in the United States to enact 
        legislation prohibiting the addition of fluoride to their public 
        drinking water systems, raising concerns among public health 
        professionals about an increased risk of preventable tooth decay, 
        particularly among children and low-income families; and
Whereas February is recognized by numerous organizations as ``National 
        Children's Dental Health Month'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes community water fluoridation as a safe, 
        effective public health intervention to prevent tooth decay and 
        promote oral health;
            (2) encourages States and localities to initiate or 
        maintain fluoridation of community water systems at optimal 
        levels recommended by the World Health Organization and the 
        American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial 
        Research;
            (3) recognizes the role of public health professionals, 
        dental providers, and community leaders in promoting evidence-
        based oral health initiatives;
            (4) supports continued research, education, and investment 
        in community water fluoridation programs to improve the oral 
        health of the public; and
            (5) recognizes and supports the goals of ``National 
        Children's Dental Health Month''.
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