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 Regional In-Person Childcare Provider Education Scheduled For October/November
The IOHA is offering free in-person oral health education for childcare providers, Head Start teachers, and Parents-as-Teachers and Nurse Family Partners program participants. Six regional trainings will provide guidance on introducing oral health concepts and tips for classroom and parent engagement. Trainings are a part of the IOHA Healthy Me is Cavity-Free initiative that addresses the issue of early childhood caries. Partners include the Idaho Oral Health Program, IdahoSTARS, MCNA, Delta Dental of Idaho, and Head Start. Remaining classes will be held in Coeur d’Alene (Oct. 28); Lewiston (Oct. 29); Caldwell (Nov. 4); Boise (Nov. 18). Register in advance. Please share this opportunity with your community. - Delta Dental of Idaho: Oral Health Grant Application Closes October 20
Delta Dental of Idaho seeks submissions for the Fall 2026 cycle of their Idaho Oral Health Grant Program. Grants between $5,000 to $25,000 can be awarded 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 closes October 20, 2026, with decisions made in early December. To preview the application and view detailed funding guidelines, create or login into an existing account on the Delta Dental grant management system. - Register Now for Idaho Dental Hygienists’ Association Annual Session
Join the IDHA in Coeur d’Alene Nov. 6-7, for the 2026 Annual Session. Bridging the Gaps to Whole Body Care - The Collaborative Benefits of Oral and Medical Care unites oral, medical, and behavioral health professionals to explore integrated, collaborative healthcare. Hygienists, dentists, physicians, behavioral health specialists, and medical educators will share insights on healthcare integration. - November 19: Idaho Rural Health Association Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner
Idaho Rural The Idaho Rural Health Association provides a voice on rural health issues through advocacy, communication, education, and collaboration. The November 19 event will be held in Boise and costs $30 per person. The event will feature a panel with three Idaho rural hospital CEOs in candid conversation about the challenges, opportunities, and changing landscape facing Idaho’s critical access hospitals. - Smiles for Idaho Brings Dental Care to Idahoans
Smiles for Idaho, a dental logistics company, is the brainchild of Kacie Benson and Mandy Christensen. By offering infrastructure, logistics, scheduling, facility coordination, and long-term-care expertise to partners like Shine Dental (Jaimie Erickson, DDS) and Terry Reilly Health Services, the two have created a model for connecting people who have great difficulty accessing dental care with oral health services. For many residents in skilled nursing, assisted living, and other long-term care settings, transportation, mobility limitations, medical conditions, cognitive impairment, and staffing challenges can make traditional dental care difficult to access. While the company does not deliver direct care, Smiles for Idaho focuses on removing barriers by bringing dental care partners into these communities.
Links & Resources
- IOHA Quarterly Oral Health Article May 2026 (docx)
- 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)