SALT LAKE CITY (KTVX) – The Utah governor’s signature is now all that stands between a state ban on water fluoridation after House Bill 81 cleared its final hurdle in the legislature on Friday.
If that bill is signed into law, Utah would also become the first state to institute a full ban on fluoride in public water systems — with no provision allowing cities or communities to decide whether to add the cavity-preventing mineral in their localities.
H.B. 81, also known as Fluoride Amendments, would instead allow pharmacists to prescribed fluoride tablets to those needing fluoride as an alternative delivery method.
“I don’t dispute that there can be positive benefits from fluoride, which is why the bill also includes a deregulation of the prescription,” state Republican Rep. Stephanie Gricius, one of the bill’s sponsors, wrote in a text message to The Associated Press. “This isn’t anti-fluoride legislation, it is pro-informed consent and individual choice.”
Debate in the legislature didn’t last long. A brief presentation was given by the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Kirk Cullimore, R-Utah County, which was followed by a few comments and concerns from senators. Concerns centered on disturbing local control when it came to adding fluoride to their water systems, as two counties in Utah have voted to add fluoride to their water systems.
“I don’t really have a dog in the fight whether we fluoridate our water or not,” Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Davis County, told colleagues during debate. “But I am not sure I’m comfortable with the legislature telling [local counties] that their local authorities can’t do what their residents have voted to do.”
Sen. Lincoln Fillmore, R-Salt Lake County, rose in favor of the bill, saying that there is a difference between fluoride added into water systems versus naturally occurring fluoride, and that adding fluoride to “a universal good” was wrong for those who didn’t choose to have fluoride. He also brought up cost concerns, saying most fluoride is wasted on lawns and bathrooms.
The bill ultimately passed Friday in a mixed partisan vote of 18-8-3, with members of both parties voting for and against the measure.
If signed by Republican Gov. Spencer Cox, the bill would require all current water systems to cease fluoridation in all public water systems by May 7, 2025. As of 2024, Utah has 484 public water systems, 66 of which add fluoride to their water systems. Those systems serve roughly 1.6 million people across several counties in Utah.
Nexstar’s KTVX has reached out to Cox’s office for a comment. A representative said he was reviewing the bill and that the governor’s office would provide more information when available.
What is water fluoridation?
Water fluoridation is the action of raising naturally occurring levels of fluoride in water systems to aid in oral health of those who drink it. The Centers for Disease Control recommends a level of 0.7 milligrams per liter, which is equivalent to three drops within a 55-gallon barrel of water. Small amounts are beneficial for oral health, experts say, but an excess of fluoride can cause dental fluorosis (a change in the appearance of teeth) in children as well as digestive problems.
Fluoridation is also the most cost-effective way to prevent tooth decay on a large scale, according to Lorna Koci, who chairs the Utah Oral Health Coalition.
“I think the anti-fluoride people, they’re latching onto [Robert F Kennedy Jr.’s] opportunity with his beliefs and using that now as a way to kind of get in the door to stop water fluoridation,” Koci said. Kennedy has expressed skepticism about water fluoridation, which is considered one of the greatest public health achievements of the last century.
She added that fluoridated public water is often the only form of preventive dental care for some people, and the impacts may be most visible in low-income Utah residents.
Fluoride strengthens the teeth and reduces cavities by replacing minerals lost during normal wear and tear, according to the CDC. Nearly two-thirds of the U.S. population drinks fluoridated water.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
