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Utah poised to become first state to fully ban fluoride in public water systems. A bill heading to Governor Spencer Cox’s desk would prohibit cities and communities from adding fluoride to their water supplies.
This move comes as newly appointed federal health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has voiced skepticism about water fluoridation, a practice long considered a major public health achievement. Kennedy has linked fluoride to various health issues, including arthritis, bone fractures, and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Dental experts strongly disagree. They cite 75 years of data supporting the safety and effectiveness of fluoride in preventing cavities.
While some cities have already removed fluoride from their water, and others are considering it, a federal judge recently ordered the EPA to regulate fluoride levels due to potential risks to children’s cognitive development.
Utah currently ranks low among states in the percentage of residents receiving fluoridated water. Supporters of the bill argue that water fluoridation is costly. Bill sponsor, Representative Stephanie Gricius, emphasizes the bill is about informed consent and individual choice, noting it also deregulates fluoride pills.
However, opponents argue that community water fluoridation is the most cost-effective cavity prevention method, especially for low-income residents. They believe the bill’s proponents are capitalizing on Kennedy’s stance.
According to the CDC, fluoride strengthens teeth and reduces cavities. Nearly two-thirds of the US population drinks fluoridated water. Data shows that only a small fraction of Utah’s water systems currently add fluoride.
Last year, voters in Brigham City rejected a proposal to remove fluoride from their water. The Utah Dental Association has also opposed the bill, citing the noticeable difference in dental health between fluoridated and non-fluoridated communities.