---

In order to improve the oral health of the public, SDDS has shined in emphasizing preventive care. We recognize that, even when free care is made available to the public, not everyone takes advantage of what is offered, especially children. In addition, our volunteers' efforts can eliminate disease in a higher percentage of the public when the overall disease is targeted. Community water fluoridation has been recognized as "the single most important thing a community can do to improve its oral health" by former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop. In keeping with this, SDDS has collaborated with over 40 organizations to promote water fluoridation in the community. At every "Smiles for Kids" clinic volunteers wear "It's Time for Fluoride in Our Water" buttons while giving every child a matching sticker. Many of our members use the buttons and stickers every day in their offices. This public health education has resulted in the Sacramento City Council, the West Sacramento City Council and Sacramento County Board of Supervisors all to unanimously support community water fluoridation. The concentrated fluoridation efforts of SDDS over the last ten years have resulted in the City of Sacramento fluoridating their water in 2000. In addition, four other water systems in Sacramento County have begun fluoridation: Citizen's Utilities Parkway and Suburban Systems, a portion of Sacramento Suburban Water District. The Sacramento County First 5 Commission has made decreasing dental disease in Sacramento County one of their top priorities, and as a result have invested millions of dollars for water fluoridation equipment.

 

this page updated 7/22/10