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3w ago

Utah Implements First Statewide Fluoride Ban as Florida Follows Suit

Utah's ban takes effect today, impacting 1.6 million residents, while Florida's Governor DeSantis signs legislation making it the second state to prohibit local water fluoridation.

Dentist James Bekker points to his model of dissected human teeth while explaining the effects of removing fluoride from public drinking water, April 30, 2025, at his office in Salt Lake City, Utah. (AP Photo/Hannah Schoenbaum)
Fluoride varnish, a topical form of fluoride typically administered by dentists, is seen Monday, May, 5, 2025, at the Salt Lake Donated Dental Services clinic in Salt Lake City, Utah. (AP Photo/Hannah Schoenbaum)
Sasha Harvey, executive director of Salt Lake Donated Dental Services, stands in her clinic that provides free or heavily discounted dental treatment to low-income patients, Monday, May 5, 2025, in Salt Lake City, Utah. (AP Photo/Hannah Schoenbaum)
The logistics around stopping the flow of fluoride into public water systems in Utah have been simple, essentially just disconnecting tanks.

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.