fluoridation

American  

[floor-i-dey-shuhn, flawr-, flohr-] / ˌflʊər ɪˈdeɪ ʃən, ˌflɔr-, ˌfloʊr- /

noun

1. the addition of fluorides to the public water supply to reduce the incidence of tooth decay.

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fluoridation British  

/ ˌflʊərɪˈdeɪʃən /

noun

1. the addition of about one part per million of fluorides to the public water supply as a protection against tooth decay

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Other Word Forms

• antifluoridation noun
• defluoridation noun

Etymology

Origin of fluoridation

First recorded in 1900–05; fluoride + -ation

Example Sentences

The government previously said for every £1 spent on water fluoridation in the area, it expected to save £13 after five years.

From BBC

The government is also expanding water fluoridation across north-east England, following a public consultation.

From BBC

The cleanliness and fluoridation of the water supply has dramatically reduced infectious disease and cavities, and has been heralded as one of the 20th century's greatest public health achievements.

From Salon

The report authors acknowledged that their analysis “was not designed to address the broader public health implications of water fluoridation in the United States.”

From Los Angeles Times

The reviewers recommended that the program “make it clear that the monograph cannot be used to draw any conclusions regarding low fluoride exposure concentrations ... typically associated with drinking-water fluoridation.”

From Los Angeles Times