Utah Enacts Nation's First Ban on Fluoride in Public Drinking Water

Governor Spencer Cox signed the law, effective May 7, prohibiting fluoridation statewide and sparking concerns over dental health impacts.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox signed legislation on March 27, 2025, making Utah the first state to ban fluoride in public water systems.
The law, effective May 7, prohibits municipalities from implementing their own fluoridation policies, centralizing the decision at the state level.
Proponents of the ban, including Cox, cited limited dental health differences between fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas in Utah, as well as concerns over government-mandated treatments.
Public health organizations, including the American Dental Association, criticized the move, warning it could disproportionately harm low-income communities with limited access to dental care.
The decision aligns with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s opposition to fluoridation and reflects broader debates on public health mandates and individual choice.