Oral Health
Insight on Recent Reports on Fluoride and Community Water Fluoridation
A report was released early in the year in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) that highlighted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 74 international studies on the impact of fluoride exposure, specifically on IQ. Questions were raised about the impact of this report on recommendations for products with fluoride, water fluoridation, and how to speak to parents and providers about the continued use of fluoride. Science still tells us that exposure to fluoride at the optimal level will help strengthen enamel and make it more resistant to cavities. Fluoride is safe.
The study did not review any US data, more than 2/3 of the reports were rated with high risk of bias, and the exposure amount noted was over 1.5 mg/L. The scientifically-recommended fluoride level for community water fluoridation in the U.S. is 0.7 mg/L. Regarding community water fluoridation in Idaho—with the exception of Mountain Home Air Force Base, NO public water system in the state adds fluoride. Any fluoride found in Idaho water occurs naturally.
Medical and dental providers may prescribe supplemental systemic fluoride to aid in oral health if indicated. Accessible for everyone, the best resource to determine the level of fluoride in a public water system is the CDC Website, My Water’s Fluoride, which tracks reported fluoride levels by state, by county, and by public water system. Supplements can be prescribed in liquid tablet, or lozenge form. The AAP recommends following the CDC fluoride supplemental dosage schedule. (See Table 2 in this AAP article.)
News & Updates
- IOHA Live Webinar: Oral Health and Obstetrics – How Providers Can Help Patients with Oral Health During Pregnancy
The IOHA, with partners including MCNA, the Idaho Oral Health Program, and the Idaho Division of Maternal and Child Health, is offering three live webinars on March 24, 25, and 26, for medical professionals. While the content will be the same, the times are different in the hope that OB providers, including midwives and doulas, will be able to participate. - Delta Dental of Idaho: Oral Health Grant Application Opens April 1, 2026
Delta Dental of Idaho is seeking submissions for the Spring 2026 cycle of their Oral Health Grant Program. Grants awards range between $5,000 to $25,000 for capacity building, capital and equipment, and special projects focused on improving dental infrastructure and workforce capacity in Idaho; improving access to affordable, timely, and high-quality dental health care; and reducing oral disease through education, prevention, and treatment. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) public charities or government entities and their instrumentalities who serve individuals in the state of Idaho. The online application opens April 1, 2026, and closes April 21, 2026. Decisions will be made in early June. - Medicaid Listening Sessions – Boise Session on April 7
The next Idaho Depart. of Health & Welfare Medicaid Listening Session is April 7, at the Capitol Building in the Lincoln Auditorium. The sessions are designed to give Medicaid recipients, stakeholders, and providers time to share insight regarding the redesign of Medicaid management in Idaho. While dates and cities have been announced, times and places are shared before each session. Remaining sessions: April 7, Boise; May 26, Coeur d’Alene; May 28, Lewiston. Suggested talking points will be emailed to IOHA friends a few days before each meeting. - Idaho Community Health Worker Association Annual Learning Collaborative – April 20
The ICHWA Annual Learning Collaborative will again include a session on oral health. The day-long event educates, uplifts, and advocates for Idaho’s Community Health Workers. - Save April 29-30 for the Idaho Rural Health Conference Featuring Oral Health
The 2026 Idaho Rural Health Conference, held in Boise, April 29-30, will include tracks and breakout sessions related to oral health. Oral health workforce will be one of the featured topics for facilitated discussion. Continuing education certificates will be provided and, thanks to funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration Oral Health Workforce Grant, the Idaho Oral Health Program has a limited amount of funding available for travel reimbursement. More information will be available on travel reimbursements when registration for the conference opens. - 2026 Idaho Medicaid Factsheet (pdf)
Links & Resources
- Fluoride is a Powerful Tool for Preventing Tooth Decay (website)
- Fluoride for Children: Parent FAQs (website)
- Good Oral Health Starts Early: AAP Policy Explained (website)
- Idaho Oral Health Alliance
We hope you will continue your support of the IOHA by joining us as a member. Annual memberships start every January, but you can join at any time. For more information or to pay your dues, visit https://www.idahooralhealth.org/membership/ - Introducing SDF into Pediatrics: Findings on Considerations for Integration and Collaboration for Patient Referrals - Webinar Slides (pdf)
- Medical Health Portal - Dental & Oral Health Screening (website)
- 2022 IOHA Annual Report (pdf)
- Release of Idaho's First Oral Health Workforce Assessment (pdf)
- Idaho Oral Health Alliance Receives Grants (website)
- CDC Initiative Creates New Water Fluoridation Technology to Support Rural Health Needs (website)
- AAP: Fluoride varnish is billable and implementable (website)
According to Pediatric News, with fluoride varnish treatments now on the Bright Futures periodicity schedule, reimbursement is attainable, and pediatricians can focus on integrating the 45- to 60-second procedure into their practices and strengthening their oral health messaging to families. - Idaho Oral Health Network Update – November 2015 (pdf)
- Healthy Me Update – November 2015 (pdf)
From the Idaho Oral Health Alliance - US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations Ages 0-5 (website)
- Schedule of Screenings & Assessments Recommended at Each Well-child Visit from Infancy through Adolescence (website)
From the American Academy of Pediatrics - Idaho Receives A Grade in PEW Dental Sealant Report (pdf)