Republican Gov. Spencer Cox signed legislation Thursday barring cities and communities from deciding whether to add the mineral to their water systems.
Florida, Ohio and South Carolina are considering similar measures, while in New Hampshire, North Dakota and Tennessee, lawmakers have rejected them. A bill in Kentucky to make fluoridation optional stalled in the state Senate.
The American Dental Association sharply criticized the Utah law, saying it showed “wanton disregard for the oral health and well-being of their constituents.”
Cavities are the most common chronic childhood disease, the ADA noted. Fluoride strengthens teeth and reduces cavities by replacing minerals lost during normal wear and tear, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Lmao my dad grew up in Algeria/Morocco/Tunisia in the mid century, and he just finished getting his remaining teeth removed in prep for implants. Since he never had fluoride growing up, his teeth were extremely porous and had literally rotted out through his life - an extremely common oral health problem with a clear divide between people who had fluoride treatment in childhood or not. Like polio or measles though I suppose XD
Another win for American capitalism, the religion