Utah recently became the first state to ban community water fluoridation completely, and other states are discussing taking similar controversial positions, but that hasn’t stopped more national health organizations from opposing such bans.
Today, the American Dental Hygienists Association (ADHA®) issued a press release strongly opposing recent calls to remove fluoride from community water supplies across the United States.
As federal officials reconsider fluoridation policy, ADHA strongly supports community water fluoridation as an important public health measure that benefits Americans of all ages and income levels.
“Decades of research have demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of fluoride at recommended doses,” ADHA President Erin Haley-Hitz, RD, B.S., M.D., said in a news release.
Removing fluoride from drinking water poses a significant risk to public health. The evidence supporting fluoride’s safety and effectiveness is strong, while the potential consequences of increased tooth decay and related health problems are concerning.”
Community water fluoridation reduces tooth decay rates in children and adults by about 25 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and this cost-effective intervention has improved oral health nationwide for 75 years.
The ADHA notes that the fluoride level in U.S. water supplies is 0.7 mg/L, far lower than the studies often cited by fluoride opponents. The ADHA notes that health concerns are often based on studies conducted in areas where natural fluoride levels far exceed U.S. fluoride standards.
Opponents of a ban also add that removing fluoride would have economic consequences. Treating preventable cavities will further burden family budgets and an already stretched health care system.
This opposition is consistent with the official position statement released by the American Dental Association (ADHA) in December 2024, which reaffirms the organization’s “strong support for community water fluoridation as a safe, effective and equitable public health measure.”
The organization’s statement builds on decades of ADHA policies that have consistently recognized fluoride as a cornerstone of preventive dental care.
“We call on state leaders to prioritize community well-being and maintain fluoridation programs that have been proven to benefit public health,” Haley-Hitz added. “Let’s work together to ensure that everyone has access to safe and effective measures that promote optimal oral health.”
ADHA urges policymakers to adhere to proven, science-based approaches and encourages members nationwide to continue educating the public on the safety and benefits of fluoride as part of comprehensive oral health care.
Related topics:
