Overview

• Utah's statewide ban on water fluoridation, the first in the U.S., is now in effect, impacting 1.6 million residents in northern Utah, including Salt Lake City.
• Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 700 into law, prohibiting local governments from adding fluoride to public water supplies, making Florida the second state to enact such a ban.
• Proponents of the bans argue they protect individual autonomy by preventing 'forced medication,' while critics warn of increased dental health disparities, particularly for low-income and vulnerable populations.
• Dentists in Utah anticipate a rise in tooth decay, especially among children, with concerns over limited access to fluoride supplements, which require a prescription.
• The bans align with U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s initiative to halt federal fluoridation recommendations, fueling similar legislative efforts in Ohio and South Carolina.