Utah Bans Community Water Fluoridation
In a shocking move, Utah has become the first state to ban community water fluoridation.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox has signed House Bill 81 into law, making Utah the first state in the United States to ban community water fluoridation. The American Dental Association (ADA) and other health experts strongly oppose the ban, citing scientific evidence that fluoridation reduces dental caries, saves money, and benefits entire communities.
“For decades, fluoridation has been a cornerstone of preventive dental care,” said ADA President Brett Kessler, DDS. “This decision ignores credible science and puts children, seniors, and low-income residents at greater risk for painful and costly dental disease.”
Studies have repeatedly shown that when water fluoridation stops, caries rates increase. In Windsor, Canada, the percentage of children requiring urgent dental care rose by 51% after fluoride was removed — leading officials to reinstate the program. Similar increases in decay have been documented in Calgary, Canada, and Juneau, Alaska, where misinformation led to fluoride cessation in 2007.
The economic impact is also significant. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every dollar invested in fluoridation saves $20 in dental treatment costs. Without fluoridation, families face higher dental bills, more missed school and workdays, and increased healthcare costs for preventable dental diseases.
Public health experts warn that Utah’s move could set a dangerous precedent, leading other states to consider similar bans based on misinformation rather than science. The ADA urges policymakers nationwide to protect water fluoridation as a vital public health measure. Click here to read more.
