The American Dental Therapy Association supports the use
of fluoride as a safe, effective way to strengthen teeth
and help prevent tooth decay. Here's why. 

• Utah’s proposed fluoride ban: A new bill in Utah seeks to ban fluoride from public water systems, making it the first state to potentially enact such a law, with no local option for communities to decide.
• Impact of federal health figures: The bill's momentum coincides with skepticism from federal health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about water fluoridation, influencing the growing debate across the U.S.
• Cost and health concerns: Supporters of the bill argue that fluoride’s costs outweigh its benefits, while opponents highlight its effectiveness in preventing tooth decay, especially for low-income communities with limited access to dental care.

In an article published Feb. 28, 2025, the Associated Press reports that Utah is moving toward becoming the first state in the U.S. to implement a full ban on fluoride in public water systems. Proposed Utah House Bill 81, which does not allow local communities to make individual decisions about adding fluoride, has passed the legislature and is awaiting approval from Governor Spencer Cox. This decision aligns with a broader national debate over fluoride, with prominent figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. expressing doubts about its safety and effectiveness. While fluoride is widely considered a major public health achievement, some argue it should be an individual choice, and the bill’s sponsors emphasize the cost savings of discontinuing fluoridation.