ADA and other organizations oppose the anti-fluoride decision
By Stan Goff, Senior Content Editor
Despite concerns raised by dentists, the American Dental Association (ADA) and other national health organizations, Utah last week became the first state to place a complete ban on community water fluoridation.
The ADA continues to support community water fluoridation as a safe and effective way to prevent tooth decay and, according to the ADA News website, notes that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) named water fluoridation one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed House Bill 81 into law March 27. It states that a person “may not add fluoride to water in, or water that will be introduced into, a public system” and that a political subdivision “may not enact or enforce an ordinance that requires or permits the addition of fluoride to water in, or water that will be introduced into, a public water system.”
Cavities are the most common chronic childhood disease, and fluoride is known to strengthen teeth and protect against caries by replacing minerals lost during normal wear and tear, according to the CDC.
Even so, the new bill passed in the state Senate in February and is set to take effect May 7, 2025. Florida, Ohio and South Carolina are considering similar measures, according to the Associated Press (AP), while in New Hampshire, North Dakota and Tennessee, lawmakers have rejected bans on water fluoridation.
Utah’s ban comes weeks after water fluoridation skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was sworn in as U.S. health secretary. Back in November Kennedy had stated that the administration of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump would recommend water systems nationwide to remove fluoride.
Utah lawmakers said the ban was a matter of personal health choice and that putting fluoride in water is too expensive, according to the AP.
Prior to last week’s signing of the law, the ADA had sent a letter in February urging Utah Gov. Cox to veto House Bill 81, saying the bill “would adopt public policy that is in complete opposition to the mission of the ADA.” The letter also provided evidence of cost and disease increases associated with ending community water fluoridation.
“The evidence of reduced disease and cost implications provide a compelling reason to strongly consider the ramifications of ending community water fluoridation. With the weight of the evidence and nearly universal support of community water fluoridation in all corners of the health care sector, we urge your veto of [House Bill] 81,” states the letter, signed by ADA President Brett Kessler, DDS, and Interim Executive Director Elizabeth Shapiro, DDS, JD, according to the ADA News.
Dr. Kessler denounced Utah’s fluoride ban, stating that this policy “has been dismantled based on distorted pseudo-science,” and the ADA president hopes other states do not follow the path set by Utah.
“We urge legislators and voters across the country not to make Utah’s significant mistake, and, instead, to trust credible data and science which shows that optimally fluoridating community water is safe, effective and helps prevent dental disease,” Dr. Kessler concluded.
FEATURED IMAGE CREDIT: Colin Behrens from Pixabay.
