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Arkansas has gained attention for its rapid and widespread adoption of community water fluoridation, achieving some of the highest coverage levels in the southern United States. This article highlights updated statistics from the past two decades, presenting key data points, trends, and regional comparisons for easy reference.
While more communities than ever benefit from fluoridated water, certain regions still face coverage gaps and compliance challenges. The data below offers an in-depth look at Arkansas’s progress, focusing on coverage rates, population impact, and cost-related outcomes.
Below are several noteworthy statistics that illustrate Arkansas’s evolving position in water fluoridation:
These figures underscore the broad impact of water fluoridation in Arkansas. The following sections provide more detailed data on implementation, compliance, and outcomes, offering a statistical resource for those researching public health measures in the region.
The growth in Arkansas water fluoridation stands out when considering earlier baselines and subsequent statewide initiatives.
This progression highlights how legislative mandates and coordinated public health initiatives contributed to steady gains in coverage. The table below offers a year-by-year look at statewide fluoridation rates.
Year | Fluoridation Coverage | Population Served |
---|---|---|
2006 | 63.2% | ~2.5M |
2012 | 74.6% | ~2.71M |
2016 | 85.6% | ~2.78M |
2020 | 86.7% | ~2.87M |
2023 | 85.4% | ~2.87M |
These coverage levels establish Arkansas as a leading state in the southern region, with most of its population benefiting from fluoridated tap water.
Ongoing monitoring and equipment standards have helped Arkansas maintain high compliance with state and federal guidelines.
The statistics reflect a well-coordinated effort to ensure water quality and safety. The following table summarizes common compliance indicators currently monitored in Arkansas.
Indicator | Status | Notable Data |
---|---|---|
Organic Contaminants | Within Standards | 97.3% Compliance |
Nitrates | No Violations | 0 MCL Incidents |
Radionuclides | No Violations | 0 MCL Incidents |
Fluoride Levels | Target Achieved | 0.7 mg/L ± 0.1 mg/L |
This framework emphasizes stable, high-quality water treatment infrastructure, making Arkansas's community water fluoridation program widely recognized for consistent adherence to public health standards.
Improvements in dental health among children and adults highlight the potential benefits of extensive fluoridation coverage.
These findings show how fluoridation correlates with tangible health benefits, especially in communities with limited dental care access. The data below illustrates selected outcome metrics.
Outcome Metric | Non-Fluoridated Areas | Fluoridated Areas |
---|---|---|
Childhood Caries Prevalence | ~60% | ~35% |
School Absenteeism (Ratio) | 3:1 | 1:3 |
Emergency Dental Visits (Rural) | Higher | 63% Lower |
As more Arkansas counties achieved full compliance, these statistics indicate a direct link between higher coverage rates and better oral health markers.
When stacked against neighboring states, Arkansas ranks near the top in water fluoridation coverage across the South.
Arkansas’s steady progression in fluoridation has been compared to states with mandates and those with voluntary programs. Below is a table showing how Arkansas measures up to nearby counterparts.
State | Coverage Rate | Population Served (Approx.) | Growth Trend |
---|---|---|---|
Arkansas | 85.4% | 2.87M | 2011-2016: +14.8% |
Louisiana | 79.8% | 3.2M | Coastal Disparities |
Mississippi | 72.1% | 1.7M | 2016-2020: -3.2% |
Tennessee | 89.3% | 6.3M | High CDC Recognition |
Texas | 88.8% | 22M | 0.7 ppm Standardization |
Oklahoma | 81.2% | 2.9M | Tribal System Gaps |
Regionally, Arkansas’s coverage is outpaced slightly by Tennessee and Texas, but it leads neighboring Louisiana and Mississippi by significant margins. In addition, states with clear mandates tend to see faster coverage growth than those relying on voluntary adoption.
The cost-effectiveness of community water fluoridation is frequently cited as a key factor in its adoption.
Public health experts often highlight the dual benefit of reduced dental costs and improved educational outcomes for children. Overall, these statistics underscore why many communities find water fluoridation an appealing and cost-saving measure.
From lowered caries rates to cost savings, Arkansas’s data demonstrates measurable improvements in oral health and economic outcomes. With a broad coverage base already in place, these statistics offer valuable insights for researchers and communities examining the impact of community water fluoridation across the region.
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