On Mar. 18, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a research initiative that offers access to optimally fluoridated water for up to 19 million people in the U.S. for the first time.

The new fluoridation method is designed to dissolve in a small amount of water, much like the chlorine tablets used in swimming pools. This tablet system could allow nearly 32,000 small public utilities ﾖ often in underserved, rural areas ﾖ to contribute to the national Healthy People goal of providing access to fluoridated water to 77.1% of the U.S. population by 2030.

Drinking fluoridated water has greatly improved oral health outcomes for overﾠ75 years, keeping teeth strong and reducingﾠcavities by about 25% in children and adults.