Utah is set to make history as the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water, igniting a fierce debate over personal freedom versus public health. The move comes as Governor Spencer Cox prepares to sign legislation that would prevent cities from adding the cavity-fighting mineral to municipal water systems.
At a glance:
- Utah will become the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water
- Governor Spencer Cox will sign legislation preventing cities from adding fluoride to water systems
- The American Dental Association warns the ban could lead to increased cavities in children
- Supporters argue fluoridation is expensive and should be an individual choice
- The ban follows Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s appointment as federal health secretary
Freedom of Choice vs. Public Health
The controversial ban aligns with the growing conservative movement championing individual liberties over government-mandated health initiatives. Utah lawmakers argue that fluoridation is too expensive and should remain a personal choice rather than a government requirement.
Governor Spencer Cox, who has confirmed he will sign the bill, stated: “It’s not a bill I care that much about, but it’s a bill I will sign.” The Republican Governor also noted that many Utah communities, including his own, do not have fluoridated water without experiencing drastically different health outcomes.
Dentists Sound the Alarm
The American Dental Association has strongly opposed the ban, warning that removing fluoride could have serious consequences for dental health. “We’ve got tried and true evidence of the safety and efficacy of this public health initiative,” said American Dental Association President Brad Kessler.
Government research indicates that community water fluoridation prevents approximately 25% of tooth decay, with dental professionals considering it one of the most significant public health achievements of the 20th century. The Utah Dental Association has also cautioned that patients from areas without fluoridated water typically have more cavities.
Economic and Safety Considerations
The Weber Basin Water Conservancy District is already preparing to remove several thousand gallons of fluoride from distribution stations in Davis County. Workers at the facility have reportedly experienced health issues like severe migraines from exposure to fluorosilicic acid, the form of fluoride added to water systems.
Removing fluoride will eventually lead to savings between $250,000 to $300,000 annually, though initial removal costs will offset these savings in the first year. The ban follows a 2019 incident in Sandy, Utah, where a fluoride pump malfunctioned, fueling local opposition to fluoridation.
Currently, only 66 out of Utah’s 484 water systems add fluoride, placing the state well below the national average for fluoridated water coverage. The legislation, set to take effect in May, represents a significant shift in public health policy that may inspire similar movements in other conservative states.
