The relocation faces opposition from dentists and healthcare organizations, who argue it could result in various medical issues.

Utah has become the first U.S. state to prohibit fluoride in communal drinking water, despite objections from dental professionals and major healthcare organizations who argue that this action could result in health issues and have a greater adverse impact on disadvantaged populations.

On Thursday, Republican Governor Spencer Cox signed a bill prohibiting municipalities and communities from choosing whether to introduce the mineral into their water supply systems.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fluoride fortifies teeth and decreases cavity formation by replenishing minerals that are typically depleted through regular use and abrasion.

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Lawmakers in Utah advocated for a ban arguing that adding fluoride to the water supply was too costly. Cox, who spent his childhood and raising his kids in an area with non-fluoridated water, likened it recently to being “medically treated” by the government.

Effective from May 7, this ban follows several weeks after US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his doubts regarding water fluoridation, took office.

The American Dental Association strongly condemned Cox and the Utah legislators, stating that the ban demonstrated a “reckless disregard” for the dental health and overall welfare of their constituents. They pointed out that tooth decay represents the most prevalent chronic disease among children.

“It’s disappointing as both a parent and a dentist to witness a well-established public health policy, designed to benefit the overall dental wellness of an entire community, being overturned due to misleading pseudo-scientific claims,” stated Brett Kessler, the association’s president and a Denver-based dentist.

Legislators in states such as Ohio, South Carolina, and Florida have proposed restrictions preventing local administrations or water system managers from adding fluoride to drinking water supplies.

Suggested limitations on water fluoridation in New Hampshire, Tennessee, and North Dakota have been dismissed. In Kentucky, a proposal to make fluoride addition voluntary has failed to advance in the state Senate.

Water fluoridation is regarded as the most economical method for preventing tooth decay on a broad scale. In the United States, over 200 million individuals, which constitutes nearly two-thirds of the country’s populace, have access to fluoride-infused water via their municipal supply systems.

Adding small amounts of fluoride to drinking water has often been regarded as one of the most significant public health accomplishments of the past hundred years.

However, several communities nationwide have ceased adding fluoride to their water supplies, with others contemplating similar actions. Recently, a federal judge mandated the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to oversee fluoride content in drinking water due to potential risks posed by elevated levels to children’s cognitive growth.

Brett Kessler, who serves as the president of the American Dental Association, has stated that the quantities of fluoride added to drinking water are within safe limits and not deemed harmful.

According to the US National Institutes of Health, extremely high levels of fluoride that lead to illness usually occur due to uncommon mishaps, like accidentally ingesting fluoride from dental office products or receiving incorrect dosages of fluoride supplements intended for children.

The agency claims that it is “extremely unlikely” to ingest enough fluoride, which is typically present in drinking water or toothpaste, to lead to significant health issues.

Critics argue that the prohibition would have an unequal impact on lower-income individuals who might depend solely on publicly supplied fluoridated water for basic oral health protection. These families could find it challenging to cover the costs associated with routine dental check-ups or purchase alternative fluoride supplements, particularly in areas where tap water isn’t fortified with fluoride.

The sponsor of the Utah legislation, Republican Congresswoman Stephanie Gricius, admitted that fluoride has advantages, but she stated that it should be about “personal preference” rather than adding it to the water supply.

In 2024, out of the 484 Utah water systems that submitted data, just 66 included fluoride according to an analysis by the Associated Press. Among these, the largest system was from Salt Lake City, which is also the most populous city in the state.

In 2022, Utah was placed at 44th nationwide regarding the proportion of inhabitants who had access to fluoridated water, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.

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