PULLMAN, Wash.–Washington State University will begin fluoridating its Pullman campus drinking water beginning Monday, April 13, providing protection from tooth decay for children living on campus and attending campus daycare centers.
For dental health reasons, communities across the country have been adding fluoride to their drinking water supplies for more than 50 years. More than 140 million Americans now drink fluoridated water. Studies show that in the past 20 years, rates of tooth decay among American children have fallen by half, and the approach has been endorsed by the American Dental Association.
The City of Pullman for years has added fluoride to the community water system.
There is naturally occurring fluoride in the university’s water sources, but not sufficient to provide protection.
Notices about the program are being sent to families so that they may discontinue supplemental fluoride treatments their children receive. Exceeding the optimum dose of fluoride can cause a condition in children called fluorosis, which is characterized by white or brown stains on teeth.
Questions about the fluoridation program can be directed to the WSU Environmental Health and Safety office, 335-3041.
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