Editor’s note: The following is an excerpt from an article written by Ultradent Clinical Director Dr. Brett Richins, DDS, published by Inside Dentistry on October 29, 2025. To read the full article in its original context, please follow the link below.
When I was learning about water fluoridation in dental school nearly two decades ago, I was skeptical about the benefits. Then, when I started my career, I was practicing in a fluoridated county that bordered a non-fluoridated county. I saw patients from both.
When a patient sat down in my chair, I knew instantly which area they lived in. The differences were stark, drastic, and immediately convincing of the power of fluoridated water.
Public water fluoridation is lauded as one of the top public health achievements of the 20th century,1 with benefits recognized by the ADA, CDC, and WHO. It’s a measure that helps everyone, regardless of age, race, nationality, income, access to care, or geographic location; fluoridated water is an equal opportunity advantage for all.
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral in water. Since the 1940s, municipalities have been controlling the amount in public drinking water supplies to help reduce tooth decay. The caries prevented by doing so surely tallies in the billions.
Yet, we find ourselves at a time when this public health benefit is under attack across the U.S.
Florida2 and Utah3 have already stopped public water fluoridation and similar actions have been discussed in other states, including Ohio4 and Arkansas.5
Regardless of the status of your water fluoridation where you practice, there are key steps we dental professionals can take to ensure fluoride continues to positively impact oral health in the U.S.
Read the full article here.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Ten great public health achievements — United States, 1900-1999. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1999 Apr 2;48(12):241-243. Accessed October 29, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00056796.htm
Anderson O. Florida second state to ban community water fluoridation. ADA News. May 15, 2025. Accessed October 29, 2025. https://adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2025/may/florida-second-state-to-ban-community-water-fluoridation/
Anderson O. Utah becomes first state to ban community water fluoridation. ADA News.March 28, 2025. Accessed October 29, 2025. https://adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2025/march/utah-becomes-first-state-to-ban-community-water-fluoridation/
NBC4i. Ohio lawmakers debate whether to ban fluoride from public drinking water. NBC4i.[Date unknown]. Accessed October 29, 2025. https://www.nbc4i.com/news/politics/ohio-lawmakers-debate-whether-to-ban-fluoride-from-public-drinking-water/
KATV News. Arkansas lawmakers debate local control over fluoride in water amid health concerns. KATV. [Date unknown]. Accessed October 29, 2025. https://katv.com/news/local/arkansas-lawmakers-debate-local-control-over-fluoride-in-water-amid-health-concerns