At the end of February 2025, the Utah State Senate approved a bill that calls for the end of community water fluoridation. Their vote sent the bill to Gov. Spencer Cox’s desk for approval. On March 28, Gov. Cox signed the legislation, making Utah the first state in the country with fluoride-free public water sources.
The bill also gives pharmacists the ability to prescribe fluoride, ensuring access to those who choose to use it. While it seems like a positive move among those who oppose water fluoridation, the move will surely make waves across the state. As Utahns prepare for this shift, it is important to understand how fluoride-free water may ultimately affect their oral health.
The Origins of Fluoride & Dental Health
Fluoride and research into its impact on oral health began in 1901, when recent dental school graduate Frederick McKay moved to Colorado Springs, CO. When he arrived, he found the city’s residents had permanent brown stains on their teeth. City natives blamed local milk, pork consumption, and calcium in their water, but McKay wasn’t so sure.
In 1923, McKay went to Oakley, ID, where parents noticed these stains on their children’s teeth. They told him the stains began appearing after the city constructed a new water pipeline. McKay tested the water, but found no abnormalities. Still, he insisted they use a new water source, and within a few years, the staining stopped.
His work continued, as staining appeared in towns across the U.S., including Bauxite, Ar. But once again, he found no abnormalities. It wasn’t until 1931 that H.V. Churchill used photospectographic analysis to examine the water, at which point he and his assistant found abnormally high fluoride levels.
Community Fluoridation in the U.S.
Churchill’s team and Dr. H. Trendley Dean of the Dental Hygiene Unit at the National Institute of Health (NIH) began testing to determine how much fluoride led to fluorosis, the condition responsible for the brown staining. By the late 1930s, they determined fluoride levels at or below 1.0 ppm didn’t cause staining.
Using McKay’s fluoride studies, Dean recalled that individuals experiencing fluorosis usually resisted tooth decay. He told his colleagues his hypothesis, and in 1944, they got to test the theory. After examining the research, the City Commission of Grand Rapids, MI, voted to add fluoride to its public water supply.
Over 15 years, researchers monitored tooth decay rates among 30,000 schoolchildren across the city, and found that cavity development dropped 60%. By 1980, half of the U.S. received fluoridated water; by 2012, over 63% of the population had access to fluoridated public water sources.
Why the Utah State Senate Voted to End Community Water Fluoridation
If the studies determined fluoride reduces tooth decay, why did the Utah State Senate vote in favor of fluoride-free drinking water? When pushing forward the bill, Utah lawmakers stated that community water fluoridation is far too expensive, and they wanted to save Utahns by cutting out this process. Rep. Stephanie Gricius acknowledged the mineral’s benefits but believed it was an individual choice to incorporate fluoride into one’s routine.
When questioned in March, Gov. Cox explained that he and his family grew up in communities with fluoride-free water sources, and that the state hasn’t seen a drastic difference between fluoridated and fluoride-free communities. He believed there needed to be significant evidence to support continued water fluoridation and stated he would sign the bill.
How Fluoride-Free Public Water Sources Impact Your Oral Health
Although Gov. Cox and representatives across Utah favor fluoride-free public water sources, this can have a negative impact on Utahns’ oral health. The American Dental Association sent a letter to Gov. Cox, calling fluoridated water the “most effective, efficient and equitable way for dental disease prevention.”
As the state prepares to move forward with this initiative, it can have devastating effects on the oral health of individuals across the state. Fluoride is an essential ingredient in preventing tooth decay and cavity development. With fluoride-free water, individuals across Utah may not ingest enough fluoride to prevent this decay.
While ending community water fluoridation may reduce monthly water bills, it will almost certainly increase dental care costs. Fluoride’s hand in preventing tooth decay directly impacts cavity development, and without this mineral in their water sources, dental patients across Utah may need to schedule more fillings, root canals, or tooth extractions.
Ultimately, with the risk of increased cavities and impact on your dental care bills every month, the decision to move toward fluoride-free public water might not be best for Utahns. With the removal of fluoride from water sources, it is more essential than ever for dental patients across the state to ensure they’re getting enough fluoride in their oral hygiene products and diet.
How Much Fluoride is Too Much?
Some dental patients may still worry about whether they’re consuming too much fluoride throughout the day. As mentioned above, the study conducted by Dean found that anything under 1.0 ppm doesn’t result in fluorosis. Fluoride content in water across Utah is currently between 0.3 and 1.0 ppm.
How much fluoride you get throughout the day varies by age and gender. Adult men should get 4 mg of fluoride, while women need 3 mg. If you’re unsure whether you’re getting enough or not enough fluoride, it is best to speak to your dental team. They can determine if local fluoride-free water sources are negatively impacting your oral health and how you can take steps to improve your routine to support your smile.
Helping You Achieve Your Strongest, Healthiest Smile
Whether you use fluoride or fluoride-free oral care products, it is essential that you work with a trusted dental team to protect your smile. If you’re looking for a reliable dental team in the Salt Lake City area, turn to our team at Avenues Dentistry for support. Our team is committed to ensuring you achieve your brightest, healthiest smile. Whether you’re experiencing cavities, gingivitis, misalignments, or other oral health problems, we’re always here to help.
If you’d like to schedule an appointment with our team, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
