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Utah Poised to Become First State to Ban Fluoridated Water
In a move that has sparked controversy within the healthcare community, Utah has passed a bill banning the addition of fluoride to public water systems. Governor Spencer Cox has indicated he will sign the bill into law, despite acknowledging it is not a priority for him. This decision sets Utah up to become the first state in the nation to enact such a ban, which is slated to take effect in early May.
The bill’s passage follows less than six months after Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suggested on social media that Donald Trump would advocate for the removal of fluoride from drinking water.
While Kennedy and other opponents claim fluoride is linked to neurodevelopmental issues, health officials maintain its safety and effectiveness in improving oral health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention even recognizes water fluoridation as a major public health achievement of the 20th century.
Utah’s decision may trigger a domino effect, as Montana, North Dakota, and Tennessee are all considering similar statewide bans. The experiences of Calgary and Windsor, two Canadian cities that briefly discontinued water fluoridation, offer a cautionary tale. Both cities ultimately reinstated the practice after observing a marked increase in cavities.
Currently, over 365,000 Utah residents receive fluoridated water. The implications of this ban on their oral health remain to be seen.