NEW BUFFALO, Mich. -- The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced on Monday that seven Michigan communities, including New Buffalo, were awarded the 2023 Community Water Fluoridation 50 Year Award from the American Dental Association, Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

MDHHS officials say recipients are recognized for continuously "adjusting and maintaining the amount of fluoride in drinking water for the prevention of tooth decay in adults and children," and that the award is given to those communities that "achieved excellence in community water fluoridation by maintaining a consistent level of fluoride in drinking water for 50 consecutive years, starting in 1973."

“MDHHS celebrates the Michigan communities exceeding CDC recommendations by having 90 percent of our population on community water systems accessing fluoridated water,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “These awards demonstrate the commitment to high quality water determined by CDC. Water fluoridation has proven its effectiveness in preventing tooth decay throughout one’s lifetime and keeping Michigan residents healthy.”

Fluoridation has been recognized by the CDC as one of the ten great public health achievements of the 20th century and they recommend water fluoridation as a safe, effective and inexpensive method of preventing decay.

According to the MDHHS, in 2023, a total of 86 public water systems in 26 states received these awards, including the seven communities in Michigan (Allegan, Bangor, Blissfield, Boyne City, Manchester, New Buffalo and Portage).