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Idaho’s water fluoridation patterns have long been an area of interest due to the state’s relatively low coverage compared to national averages. Public data show persistent disparities in fluoridation adoption over time, influenced by geographic, demographic, and infrastructure factors.
Understanding the scope of fluoride availability in Idaho’s community water systems is essential for evaluating oral health trends. This article compiles historical and current statistics, offering a data-centric look at the status of water fluoridation in Idaho, including long-term coverage rates, regional discrepancies, and associated health indicators.
These figures underscore the importance of statistical monitoring to gauge where coverage stands and how it shifts over time. Below is a closer look at the historical development of Idaho’s water fluoridation rates and the current distribution across different regions.
Reviewing Idaho’s past fluoridation coverage provides insight into its trajectory and helps contextualize its present status.
This data illustrates Idaho’s longstanding challenge of increasing fluoridation coverage. Below is a table showing selected data points from 2006 to 2015.
Year | Estimated Coverage (%) | Key Observation |
---|---|---|
2006 | 31% | Coverage stagnating at the early stage |
2014 | 31.9% | Ranked 47th nationally |
2015 | ~32% | Only 2 systems adjusted fluoride levels |
Idaho’s coverage has persisted at roughly the same level, with marginal shifts influenced by system closures and referendums.
Community decisions often lead to uneven distribution of resources and coverage across the state. The following table captures more recent data points on CWF participation and systems.
Year | # of Systems Actively Adjusting Fluoride | % Population Covered |
---|---|---|
2016 | 6,100 | ~32% |
2020 | 5,728 | ~31.9% |
2024 | N/A | 31.9% |
Examining rural versus urban areas is central to understanding how coverage can vary widely across Idaho’s diverse landscapes.
These disparities highlight how location-based infrastructure challenges contribute to widely varying fluoridation rates. Below is a summary table reflecting general trends in rural and urban coverage:
Area Type | Typical Coverage (%) | Key Barrier |
---|---|---|
Urban (e.g., Lewiston) | 40% - 50% | More centralized water systems |
Rural (most counties) | Under 20% | Decentralized infrastructure |
Oral health indicators help illustrate the outcomes tied to Idaho’s low fluoridation coverage.
Although fluorosis levels remain relatively low statewide, disparities in caries prevalence underline Idaho’s limited access to optimally fluoridated water. The following table shows two key oral health statistics.
Oral Health Indicator | Statewide Estimate | Notable Detail |
---|---|---|
Untreated Tooth Decay (Children) | ~62% | Recorded in 2005, still cited as high |
Mild Fluorosis Rate | ~25% | Comparable to national average |
A snapshot of Idaho’s rates next to its neighboring states shows where it currently stands in a broader regional context.
Regional collaboration efforts in states like Washington have raised coverage, whereas Idaho’s approach leads to significant local variation. The comparative table below highlights these figures side by side.
State | Approx. Fluoridation Rate (%) | Notes |
---|---|---|
Washington | ~62% | City mandates in major population centers |
Nevada | 65–70% (urban) | Grant-supported infrastructure improvements |
Oregon | 3,000 residents served | Many rural communities rely on private wells |
Idaho | 31.9% | Local referendums have lowered fluoridation rates |
Overall, Idaho’s water fluoridation coverage has remained stubbornly low, reflecting a complex mix of rural infrastructure limitations, local decision-making, and naturally variable fluoride levels. Despite some urban areas maintaining moderate coverage, statistics on childhood decay and system participation confirm that Idaho continues to lag behind most of its regional neighbors.
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