This study tries to analyze how drinking water fluoridation has developed in Ceará state so contributing to nationwide policy understanding. Nineteen people involved in this process were interviewed, among the state water company, Fundação Nacional de Saúde and Secretaria Estadual da Saúde do Ceará workers and Grupo Estadual de Controle de Flúor members. A documental search in the files of institutions mentioned above, besides dental journals, newspapers and State Official Daily complemented the finds of the interviews. Public Administration actuation, by means of Sesp Foundation and national programs were analyzed, as well as the state actuation through its water company and also the role of social control in the process. Finds show that although most part of the population receives fluorated water in Ceará state due to the State actuation, there was an important role of the Federal State in the implementation of this measure. The State company performance was restricted to large water distribution systems. Fundação Nacional de Saúde fluorated small systems and was a reference on the matter in the state. It was not found evidence of society participation in what concerns this theme, which was restrict to academic debate.
Water fluoridation; Health policy; Water supply; Sanitation