BY ANTHONY RIZZO
The state has selected nine cities across Michigan to receive grant money to initiate and maintain community water fluoridation programs.
Cities receiving grants include Trenton, St. Ignace and Traverse City.
Officials say 51 million hours of school each year because of oral health issues.
Angela Minicuci is with the Department of Community Health.
"That is definitely a concern. Tooth decay is actually the most common chronic childhood diseases that there is. And so, that does impact where a child spends most of their time, and that's in school. Community fluoridation does impact that and that is something we are working to hopefully address." Minicuci said.
Minicuci said about 90 percent of communities in Michigan that provide a water system have access to fluoridated water.
However, she said, other water system's often have equipment that is too old to provide an effective fluoridation program.