H.Res. 1087

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1087 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1087

Recognizing community water fluoridation as a safe, effective public 
health intervention to prevent tooth decay and promote oral and 
physical health.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 26, 2026

Ms. Lois Frankel of Florida (for herself, Ms. Barragan, Ms. Castor of 
Florida, Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick, Mr. Frost, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, 
Ms. McCollum, Ms. Morrison, Mr. Moskowitz, Mr. Soto, Ms. Wasserman 
Schultz, and Ms. Wilson of Florida) submitted the following resolution; 
which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

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RESOLUTION

Recognizing community water fluoridation as a safe, effective public 
health intervention to prevent tooth decay and promote oral and 
physical health.

Whereas oral health is integral to overall health and well-being, affecting a 
person's ability to eat, speak, learn, and work;
Whereas caries disease (commonly known as tooth decay or cavities) is one of the 
most common chronic diseases in children and adults, despite being 
largely preventable;
Whereas tooth decay can lead to pain, abscess (infections), swelling, bleeding 
gums, damaged or broken teeth, tooth loss, tooth sensitivity, inability 
to chew, shift in teeth positioning, weight loss and malnutrition, a 
weakened immune system, fatigue, heart disease, heart attacks, worsening 
of existing health conditions, including diabetes, osteoporosis, and 
HIV/AIDS, and other health issues;
Whereas tooth decay has led to infections that have resulted in death;
Whereas, in 2007, 12-year-old Deamonte Driver died after bacteria from an 
abscessed tooth traveled to his brain;
Whereas, in 2009, 24-year-old Kyle Willis died after being unable to afford 
antibiotics to treat a tooth infection, which spread to his brain;
Whereas, in 2017, 26-year-old Vadim Kondratyuk, a father of 2 young children, 
died of a tooth infection that spread to his blood and lungs;
Whereas, each year, there are thousands of hospitalizations and multiple deaths 
in the United States due to dental infections;
Whereas 1 in 4 adults has untreated tooth decay;
Whereas nearly 1,000,000 Americans visit the emergency room each year because of 
dental pain, costing the Nation's health care system hundreds of 
millions of dollars;
Whereas tooth decay is nearly always preventable;
Whereas fluoride is an essential component in preventing tooth decay, reducing 
tooth decay by about 25 percent;
Whereas fluoride is naturally found in almost all soil and water and in many 
rocks;
Whereas many communities add a small amount of fluoride to their water supply to 
prevent cavities and promote good oral and physical health;
Whereas community water fluoridation, the adjustment of fluoride in drinking 
water to optimal levels to prevent tooth decay, has been supported by 
more than 75 years of scientific research and has been recognized by the 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as 1 of the 10 great public 
health achievements of the 20th century;
Whereas, since its introduction in 1945, community water fluoridation has led to 
a dramatic decline in cavities;
Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 
communities with water fluoridation save $32 per person annually by 
avoiding dental treatment costs and leading to fewer missed workdays and 
schooldays;
Whereas providing optimally fluoridated water to communities nationwide for 1 
year saves $6,500,000,000 in dental treatment costs and offers an 
average return on investment of $20 for every dollar spent;
Whereas community water fluoridation is a cost-effective, equitable, and 
accessible means of delivering preventive oral health care to 
populations regardless of age, income, or access to regular dental 
services;
Whereas leading health organizations, including the American Dental Hygienists' 
Association, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American 
Association of Public Health Dentistry, the American Association for 
Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research, and the World Health 
Organization, support community water fluoridation as a safe and 
effective public health measure;
Whereas community water fluoridation has long enjoyed bipartisan support at 
local, State, and Federal levels as a practical, evidence-based public 
health solution;
Whereas Florida and Utah became the first States in the United States to enact 
legislation prohibiting the addition of fluoride to their public 
drinking water systems, raising concerns among public health 
professionals about an increased risk of preventable tooth decay, 
particularly among children and low-income families; and
Whereas February is recognized by numerous organizations as ``National 
Children's Dental Health Month'': Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes community water fluoridation as a safe, 
effective public health intervention to prevent tooth decay and 
promote oral health;
(2) encourages States and localities to initiate or 
maintain fluoridation of community water systems at optimal 
levels recommended by the World Health Organization and the 
American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial 
Research;
(3) recognizes the role of public health professionals, 
dental providers, and community leaders in promoting evidence-
based oral health initiatives;
(4) supports continued research, education, and investment 
in community water fluoridation programs to improve the oral 
health of the public; and
(5) recognizes and supports the goals of ``National 
Children's Dental Health Month''.
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