Introduction to the Fluoride Ban in Utah
Utah’s first-in-the-nation ban on fluoride in public drinking water is set to take effect, and dentists who treat children and low-income patients are bracing for an increase in tooth decay among the state’s most vulnerable people. Republican Gov. Spencer Cox signed the law against the recommendation of many dentists and national health experts who warn removing fluoride will harm tooth development, especially in young patients without regular access to dental care.
Background on the Fluoride Ban
The bill’s sponsor, Republican Rep. Stephanie Gricius, said she does not dispute that fluoride can have some benefits but thinks people should not be given it by the government without their informed consent. U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. applauded Utah for being the first state to enact a ban and said he plans to direct the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to stop recommending fluoridation nationwide. Florida could soon become the second state to ban fluoride under a bill awaiting Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature. The Ohio and South Carolina legislatures are considering similar measures.
Sasha Harvey, executive director of Salt Lake Donated Dental Services, stands in her clinic that provides free or heavily discounted dental treatment to low-income patients, Monday, May 5, 2025, in Salt Lake City, Utah. (AP Photo/Hannah Schoenbaum)
Preparing for the Ban
Dentists in Salt Lake City over the past week said many patients were unaware of the upcoming ban, and most did not realize the city had been adding fluoride to their drinking water for nearly two decades. At Donated Dental, providers expect their monthslong waitlist for children’s procedures to grow significantly and their need for volunteer dentists to skyrocket. The effects of the ban in children’s teeth will likely be visible within the next year, said Sasha Harvey, the clinic’s executive director.
Many Patients Not in the Know
A majority of Utah water systems already did not add fluoride. The state ranked 44th in the nation for the percentage of residents receiving fluoridated water, with about 2 in 5 receiving it in 2022, according to CDC data. The law will impact about 1.6 million people in Salt Lake City and elsewhere in northern Utah who are losing fluoridation, state officials say.
A Public Health Achievement Under Scrutiny
The fluoridation process involves supplementing the low levels of naturally occurring fluoride in most water to reach the 0.7 milligrams per liter recommended by the CDC for cavity prevention. Water treatment plants dump fluoride into the water in liquid or powder form and often use dosing pumps to adjust the levels. Nearly two-thirds of the U.S. population receives fluoridated drinking water, according to health officials. It was long considered among the greatest public health achievements of the last century.
Barriers to Fluoride Supplements
The law shifts responsibility to individuals, meaning all Utah residents will need to be proactive about their oral health, Harvey said. Most patients at her clinic only come in when a toothache becomes unbearable, and many cannot spare the few dollars a month needed to buy fluoride supplements to add to their drinking water at home. Fluoride toothpaste alone is insufficient for children because it doesn’t penetrate the tooth’s outer layer, Bekker said. When a person regularly ingests fluoridated water, their saliva bathes the teeth in fluoride throughout the day and makes them stronger.
Conclusion
The ban on fluoride in Utah’s public drinking water is expected to have significant consequences for the state’s most vulnerable populations, particularly children and low-income families. Dentists are preparing for an increase in tooth decay and are working to make fluoride supplements accessible to those who need them. However, the lack of awareness about the ban and the barriers to accessing fluoride supplements may exacerbate the problem.
FAQs
Q: What is the fluoride ban in Utah?
A: The fluoride ban in Utah is a law that prohibits the addition of fluoride to public drinking water in the state.
Q: Why was the ban enacted?
A: The ban was enacted despite the recommendation of many dentists and national health experts who warn that removing fluoride will harm tooth development, especially in young patients without regular access to dental care.
Q: How will the ban affect children and low-income families?
A: The ban is expected to have significant consequences for children and low-income families, particularly those who rely on public drinking water as their primary source of fluoride.
Q: What can individuals do to protect their oral health?
A: Individuals can protect their oral health by using fluoride toothpaste, visiting their dentist regularly, and considering fluoride supplements if recommended by their dentist or doctor.
Q: Will other states follow Utah’s lead and ban fluoride?
A: Other states, such as Florida, Ohio, and South Carolina, are considering similar measures, but it is unclear whether they will follow Utah’s lead and ban fluoride.
