Utah is set to make history by becoming the first state to prohibit the addition of fluoride in public drinking water, despite facing significant opposition from dentists and national health organizations. Republican Governor Spencer Cox has indicated his support for legislation that will prevent cities and communities from opting to include fluoride in their water systems.
Fluoride is known to strengthen teeth and reduce cavities by replenishing lost minerals as part of normal wear and tear, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The practice of adding low levels of fluoride to drinking water has long been hailed as a major public health achievement. Research by government agencies has shown that community water fluoridation can prevent approximately 25% of tooth decay.
American Dental Association President Brad Kessler emphasized the safety and effectiveness of water fluoridation, warning of potential dental issues in children if Utah discontinues the practice. Despite these concerns, Governor Cox mentioned that while he personally doesn’t feel strongly about the issue, he intends to sign the bill into law.
Supporters of the ban argued that the cost of fluoridating water was prohibitive. Representative Stephanie Gricius, the Republican sponsor of the legislation, acknowledged the benefits of fluoride but emphasized the importance of individual choice in deciding whether to have it in water supplies.
Governor Cox pointed out that many Utah residents, including himself and his children, have lived in communities without fluoridated water without notable negative impacts. He stressed the need for a compelling rationale to mandate government-administered medication.
While over 200 million Americans receive fluoridated water, some cities have already eliminated fluoride from their water supplies, and other municipalities are contemplating similar actions. A recent federal court ruling directed the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate fluoride levels in drinking water due to potential risks to children’s cognitive development.
A Utah teenager shared their experience of a fluoride pump malfunction in Sandy, Utah, in 2019, which led to an excessive release of fluoride into the water system and affected hundreds of residents. Although high levels of fluoride in water are rare, opponents of the ban expressed concerns about its impact on low-income individuals who rely on public water as their primary source of preventive dental care.
Despite differing views, the debate over water fluoridation in Utah has broader implications, with potential consequences for other states considering similar bans. Critics argue that the benefits of fluoride in preventing cavities outweigh any perceived risks associated with its use in drinking water.
In cities without fluoridation, families may struggle to afford regular visits to the dentist or fluoride tablets that some people use as a supplement. Lorna Koci, chair of the Utah Oral Health Coalition, emphasized that fluoridation is the most cost-effective method for preventing widespread tooth decay. Utah was ranked 44th in the country in 2022 for the proportion of residents receiving fluoridated water, with about two out of five people served by community water systems having access to fluoridated water. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among the 484 Utah water systems that reported data in 2024, only 66 were found to fluoridate their water, with Salt Lake City being the largest among them. Rodney Thornell, president of the Utah Dental Association, shared that his adult patients who did not have fluoride in their water while growing up tend to have more cavities compared to younger patients who did have fluoride in their water. Thornell stressed the importance of fluoride, especially in a state like Utah where residents consume more sugary foods and drinks than the national average.
