Community water fluoridation has substantial lifelong decay prevention effects and is a highly cost-effective means of preventing tooth decay in the United States, regardless of socioeconomics status.

The cost of community water fluoridation can vary in each community depending on the following factors.

• Size of the community (population and water usage);
• Number of fluoride injection points where fluoride additives will be added to the water system;
• Amount and type of equipment used to add and monitor fluoride additives
• Amount and type of fluoride compound used, its price, and its cost of transportation and storage; and
• Expertise of personnel at the water plant.

The average cost for a community to fluoridate its water is estimated to range from approximately $0.50 a year per person in large communities to approximately $3.00 a year per person in small communities.  For most cities, every $1 invested in water fluoridation saves $38 in dental treatment costs.

This and more information on the cost effectiveness of community water fluoridation can be found in Fluoridation Facts.