Utah has become the first state in the United States to ban fluoride from public drinking water, a move that has sparked controversy among health professionals and policymakers. Republican Governor Spencer Cox signed the legislation on Thursday (March 27), preventing cities and communities from adding fluoride to their water systems. The ban will take effect on May 7.

Fluoride, known for its ability to strengthen teeth and reduce cavities, has been a staple in public health efforts to prevent tooth decay. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is considered one of the greatest public health achievements of the last century. However, Utah lawmakers argued that the cost of adding fluoride to water was too high. Governor Cox, who grew up in a community without fluoridated water, likened it to being "medicated" by the government.

The American Dental Association (ADA) has strongly criticized the decision, stating it shows a "wanton disregard for the oral health and well-being" of Utah's residents. ADA President Brett Kessler expressed concern, saying, "As a father and a dentist, it is disheartening to see that a proven, public health policy, which exists for the greater good of an entire community’s oral health, has been dismantled based on distorted pseudoscience."

While Utah is the first state to implement such a ban, similar proposals have been made in states like Ohio, South Carolina, and Florida. However, efforts to restrict fluoridation in New Hampshire, Tennessee, and North Dakota were rejected. The decision in Utah comes amid growing debates about the safety and necessity of fluoride in drinking water, with some opponents citing potential health risks and advocating for individual choice.

Currently, more than 200 million Americans receive fluoridated water, and Utah ranks 44th in the nation for the percentage of residents with access to fluoridated water. Out of 484 water systems in Utah, only 66 reported adding fluoride, with Salt Lake City being the largest.

Lucy Chapman