The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) oral health program is pleased to announce that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently released the final Public Health Service (PHS) recommendation for the optimal fluoride level in drinking water to prevent tooth decay.

The new recommendation is for a single level of 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water. It updates and replaces the previous recommended range (0.7 to 1.2 milligrams per liter) issued in 1962. The Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance in the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will continue to advise and assist community water systems to achieve this new recommendation.

In Michigan, the majority of the Public Water Systems adjust fluoride levels to be in line with this updated PHS community water fluoridation recommendation. Fluoridation of public water supplies in the United States began close to 70 years ago in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Currently, more than seven million Michigan residents have access to community water fluoridation to improve oral health.

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John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation, infrastructure, and energy issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.