Utah passes controversial bill banning fluoridated public water systems
The bill gives citizens a choice on whether to consume fluoride or not, as it is not an anti-fluoride legislation.
USA – Utah’s Governor, Spencer J. Cox, has signed a bill banning the addition of fluoride to the public water supply, effective May 7, 2025.
The ban comes after Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, raised some concerns about the health effects of fluoride.
“On January 20, the Trump White House will advise all U.S water systems to remove fluoride from public water. Fluoride is an industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders, and thyroid disease,” Robert F. Kennedy declared on social media in November 2024.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fluoride helps strengthen teeth and reduce cavities by repairing and preventing damage caused by bacteria in the mouth that produce acid.
However, this acid dissolves minerals on a tooth’s surface and can even lead to tooth loss, raising concerns about its prolonged usage in public water treatment.
While Utah’s ban does not mention any public health concerns related to the mineral, Republican state lawmaker Stephanie Gricius, who introduced the bill in the state legislature, argued that research suggests fluoride could have possible cognitive effects in children.
The bill, therefore, prohibits communities from adding fluoride to public water supplies and bans any enforcement requiring fluoride addition to water systems.
However, it allows pharmacists to prescribe fluoride supplements to individuals and instructs the state’s Division of Professional Licensing to establish guidelines for such prescriptions.
According to Gricius, her bill would give citizens a choice about whether to consume fluoride, as it “isn’t an anti-fluoride legislation.”
Other states, such as Florida and Ohio, are considering adopting similar laws.
Challengers of the ban
While some experts have questioned Fluoride’s continued presence in water systems, given its wide availability in toothpaste and other dental products, others have remained steadfast in supporting its presence in water.
The recommended fluoride concentration in drinking water is 0.7 milligrams per liter, above which poses a risk of fluorosis.
According to Levy Goldman, “One study noted about 12% of people would have some level of fluorosis of the enamel from drinking fluoridated water at one ppm…However, when fluoride levels are maintained at the recommended levels, the benefits greatly outweigh the risks.”
Furthermore, the American Dental Association states that the CDC listed water fluoridation as one of the outstanding public health achievements of the last century, providing evidence of reduced disease and cost implications.
The CDC estimates that providing optimally fluoridated water to US communities for one year saves US$6.5 billion in dental treatment costs and offers a return on investment of US$20 for every US$1 spent on water fluoridation.
On average, communities with water fluoridation experience 25% fewer cavities, saving US$32 per person annually by avoiding dental treatment costs and leading to fewer missed work and school days.
Disputers of Utah’s move warn that the ban will affect low-income residents who may rely on fluoridated public drinking water as their only source of preventive dental care. They may be unable to afford regular dentist visits or fluoride tablets as a supplement.
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