The Providence and Cumberland public water systems have received Water Fluoridation Quality Awards from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fluoridation is the adjustment of fluoride in drinking water to a level that is effective for preventing tooth decay. The award recognizes those communities that achieved excellence in community water fluoridation by maintaining a consistent level of fluoride in drinking water throughout 2020. For 2020, a total of 1,292 public water systems in 29 states received these awards.

 

“Water fluoridation is one of the best investments that a community can make in maintaining the oral health of its citizens. It is equally as effective in preventing cavities in children and adults,” stated Casey Hannan, MPH, Director, CDC Division of Oral Health. “Fluoridation is also highly cost effective. Studies continue to show that for every $1 a community invests in water fluoridation, $20 are saved in dental treatment costs.”

 

Community water fluoridation has been recognized by CDC as one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th Century. CDC recommends water fluoridation as one of the most practical, cost-effective, equitable, and safe measures a community can take to prevent tooth decay and improve oral health.

 

TikTok faces a ban in the U.S. A Senate bill tied to a broader foreign aid package expected to clear the chamber tonight. The legislation would force TikTok's China-based parent company ByteDance to sell the app or face a ban from U.S. devices and networks.        FBI Director Christopher Wray is disputing Donald Trump's promise to investigate his political rivals. The former President has vowed to order the Department of Justice to investigate his opponents if he wins the 2024 election. On Tuesday, NBC News spoke with Wray, who said he wouldn't allow his agents to conduct any investigation that doesn't comply with the FBI's rules, procedures, best practices, or core values.       Pro-Palestinian protests are growing on college campuses around the country. Demonstrators at Columbia University say they want the Ivy League school to divest from companies they say profit from Israel's violations of international law and Palestinian rights. Police made arrests at Yale and New York University yesterday as some protests turned violent.        A nationwide search is underway for a former police officer accused of killing his ex-wife and underage girlfriend in Washington state. That's according to the New York Post. Elias Huizar is accused of killing his ex Amber Rodriguez at the elementary school where she worked on Monday and a second victim, identified as a 17-year-old he had been dating. The alleged murders took place on the same day Huizar was set to appear in court for allegedly raping two 16-year old girls.       The NBA Playoffs continue with three games tonight. First, the Phoenix Suns will take on the Timberwolves in Minnesota in game two of their series. The Timberwolves currently hold a one-to-nothing series lead. Then, the Indiana Pacers will take on the Milwaukee Bucks for game two. The Bucks lead that series one-game-to-zero. Lastly, the Dallas Mavericks will look to avoid going down two-games-to-none against the Clippers in Los Angeles in game two of their series.       A new Johnny Cash album is coming out more than two decades after his death. Universal Music is issuing "Songwriter," a collection of 11 previously unreleased demos the country legend recorded in 1993. According to "Variety," all of them are self-written originals by Johnny Cash.