ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
The RSA Tower, 201 Monroe Street, P.O. Box 303017, Montgomery, AL  36130-3017
(334) 206-5300 • FAX (334) 206-5520  Web Site: http://www.alabamapublichealth.gov

NEWS RELEASE

ADPH seeks grant proposals for public water systems to initiate, update or expand community water fluoridation

The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), Office of Oral Health, is offering competitive fluoridation grants to eligible Alabama public water systems to initiate, update or expand community water fluoridation. The ADPH will offer up to a total of $100,000 to fund the one-year grants, with the maximum allowable award being $25,000 per water system.

“In Alabama, approximately 74% of communities provide water fluoridation at optimal levels. Increasing that percentage will improve the quality of life and reduce overall health care costs for additional Alabama citizens,” State Dental Director Dr. Tommy Johnson said. “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that for every dollar invested in community water fluoridation, up to $20 in dental care can be saved.”

Fluoridation has been identified as the most feasible and cost-effective method of delivering fluoride to all members of a community, regardless of age, education or income. Scientists in the U.S. and other countries have studied the safety and benefits of fluoridated water for more than 75 years and have found no convincing evidence to link water fluoridation with any potential unwanted health effect. To obtain a copy of the request for proposal, download it online at http://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/oralhealth/fluoridation.html

Applications must be submitted either electronically or by U.S. mail by the close of business on Friday, September 20th (2019). For more information, contact State Fluoridation Coordinator Summer Macias, summer.macias@adph.state.al.us; address RSA Tower, Suite 1374D, 201 Monroe St., Montgomery, Ala. 36104.