Overview
- Utah becomes the first U.S. state to enact a statewide ban on water fluoridation, effective May 7, 2025, affecting 1.6 million residents in Salt Lake City and northern Utah.
- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 700 into law yesterday, prohibiting local governments from adding fluoride to public drinking water, with the ban set to take effect by July 1, 2025.
- The bans have drawn criticism from dental and pediatric experts who warn of increased tooth decay, particularly among children and low-income families who rely on fluoridated water for oral health.
- Proponents of the bans, including U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., argue that fluoridation constitutes 'forced medication' and advocate for individual choice in health decisions.
- Other states, including Ohio and South Carolina, are considering similar legislation, signaling a growing trend in anti-fluoridation measures across the country.