The status of water fluoride assay programs and implications for prescribing of dietary fluoride supplements.

Although community water fluoridation has long been recognized as the most efficient, cost-effective method of providing the recommended levels of systemic fluoride, about 46 percent of all Americans do not have such access. Little has been known about the states' programs for providing assays of individual patients water supplies. The status of these programs was surveyed, with collected data showing patterns among the states. Thirty-nine programs (76 percent) reported assay services available, with most of these provided by state laboratories.