Governor Utah Spencer Cox sign the bill This week makes the first state in this country which prohibits fluoride in public drinking water.
Under the bill, someone “may not add fluoride to water, or water that will be put into a public water system” and “Political division should not enforce or uphold regulations that need or allow the addition of fluoride into water, or water that will be inserted into, public water.”
This bill allows pharmacists in the state to prescribe fluoride supplements and direct the professional license division to establish guidelines for the recipe.
Cox has previously shown that he will sign the bill. The law is determined to take effect on May 7.
Fluoride is a mineral that naturally occurs in water sources such as lakes and rivers, and even naturally present in some foods and drinks, according to American dental association (THERE IS).
This was added to several dental products, such as toothpaste, to help prevent cavities.
In October 19, 2023, the photo file, Governor Utah Spencer Cox spoke at the monthly press conference of the Governor of PBS Utah at the Eccles Broadcasting Center in Salt Lake City.
Laura Seitz/The Deseret News via AP, Pool, File
High quality studies show fluoride prevent cavities and repair tooth decay caused by bacteria in the mouth. Fluoride makes tooth enamel stronger and rebuild a weakened tooth enamel, said there.
Fluoride also replaces minerals lost from teeth due to acid damage, according to the center of disease control and prevention.
However, skeptics have influential such as Secretary of Health and Humanitarian Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has long caused doubt about the benefits of fluoride.
In an interview with NPR in November 2024, Kennedy doubled his promise to persuade the local government to eliminate fluoride from their water supply.
He has claimed that fluoride in drinking water affects the neurological development of children and that other countries that have eliminated fluoride from water supply they have not seen an increase in cavities.
Some health professionals have expressed concern about excessive fluoride intake and potential toxicity.
However, many doctors and dental associations argue that fluoride in water is still a very important public medical device, low risk/high risk, especially for children and disadvantaged adults who may not be able to practice regular dental hygiene.
In a letter Ask Cox to veto the bill, there is saying that Data from the Ministry of Health Utah Showing people with fluuoridated water experienced a decrease in dental disease levels.
This association mentions the water fluoridation of the community “The only one is the most effective public health action to prevent tooth decay.”
“Studies prove that water fluoridation continues to be effective in reducing tooth decay by 25% in children and adults, even in an era that widespread the availability of fluoride from other sources, such as fluoride toothpaste,” there was stating on its website. “So, just by drinking fluuoridated water, you do something good for your mouth health.”
ABC News’ Sony Salzman contributed to this report.