Latest news with #FluorideAmendments
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
How to protect your teeth after the fluoridation ban: DHHS offers tips
SALT LAKE CITY () — The Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is encouraging Utahns to take action before fluoride is removed from drinking water next week. , Fluoride Amendments, goes into effect on May 7 and will prohibit fluoridation in any public water systems across the state. The bill also allows pharmacists to prescribe fluoride tablets for those who want fluoridation. Ahead of the ban, DHHS is providing Utahns with more information about fluoride and oral health. They also expressed their concerns that this will impact roughly 1.6 million Utahns in Salt Lake County, Davis County, and Brigham City. MORE ABOUT THE BILL: Gov. Cox signs fluoridation ban into law – a nationwide first 'Access to accurate, evidence-based information remains essential for protecting the health of all Utahns. Oral health is a critical component of overall well-being, and we are committed to ensuring communities — especially those who may be most impacted by this change — continue to have the support and education needed to maintain good dental health,' Dr. Stacey Bank, executive medical director at DHHS, is quoted in a press release. DHHS explains that fluoride is 'a natural mineral that helps protect your teeth and bones.' They also state that there is a natural amount of fluoride found in drinking water, but it is not generally enough to provide the benefits that protect teeth. DHHS says Utahns can provider and ask about natural fluoride levels in the drinking water. Utahns are also recommended to complete a regular dental check-up every six months. For children six months and older, DHHS recommends fluoride varnishes two to four times a year to prevent cavities. Fluoride supplements are also recommended for children between the ages of six months and 16 years. 'I am very proud of Utah': RFK Jr. commends state officials on fluoridation ban 'We recognize the benefits of fluoride to overall health. While community water fluoridation will no longer be available, there are measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of developing cavities… We encourage Utahns to have regular checkups with a dentist or healthcare provider to make sure they are doing everything they can to protect their oral health,' said Dr. Stacey Swilling, state dental director at DHHS. Although fluoride is most effective for children and teens, DHHS has recommendations for ensuring oral health in everybody, regardless of age. Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste 2 times a day. Floss your teeth before you go to bed. Limit the amount of sugar you eat or drink. Quit tobacco and nicotine use — including vaping. These products can increase the risk of gum disease, infections in your mouth, and tooth loss. For more information on fluoride, visit the . Utahns who need a dentist can also find low-cost dental clinics near them through the link. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
‘I am very proud of Utah': RFK Jr. commends state officials on fluoridation ban
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — During a surprise visit to Utah, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. praised state officials for taking steps to ban water fluoridation in its water supply. In a press conference with state officials, Kennedy told lawmakers that they are leading the nation in 'making America healthy again' with the recent passage of the fluoridation ban, and other measures. 'I am very proud of Utah, it has emerged as the leader in making America healthy again,' Kennedy told reporters. 'If we want to be a moral nation, if we want to maintain our moral authority around the world, our chief obligation is to our children, and we are letting them down. I am very happy that Utah is taking the lead in so many ways.' PREVIOUS: Gov. Cox signs fluoridation ban into law – a nationwide first The visit comes after the Utah Legislature passed three bills during the 2025 General Session: H.B. 81 — or Fluoride Amendments — which bans fluoridation in public water systems. H.B. 402 — or Food Additives in Schools — which bans additives in school lunches. H.B. 403 — or SNAP Funds Amendments — which prohibits food stamp and other food assistances funds four buying soda. 'While other states are just talking about the solutions, Utah is actually implementing and creating the solutions,' House Speaker Mike Schultz said during the press conference. 'We are not afraid to lead on these issues.' READ MORE: Will removing fluoridation reduce your water bill? Here's what cities say During the visit, reporters also had a chance to hear from the EPA administrator, Lee Zeldin, who made an announcement that the EPA will be making fluoride 'top of the list' in the agency's agenda. 'EPA is here today to make an announcement that wouldn't be happening if not for Secretary Kennedy,' Zeldin began. 'What EPA is going to do is go back and look at these studies … and we're prepared to act on this science.' Kennedy has also indicated that he will ask the CDC to stop recommending that fluoride be added in public drinking water. Prior to the press conference, Kennedy and other officials took a tour of the public health center at the University of Utah. Several protesters gathered at the event, and multiple organizations issued statements regarding Kennedy's visit to the state. 'We welcome public discourse on health policy,' said Dr. Rodney Thornell, President of the Utah Dental Association. 'But it's important that these discussions are rooted in sound science and public health evidence. Fluoridation is one of the most studied and beneficial public health interventions of the last century.' The Utah Oral Health Coalition voiced their concerns, saying, 'Fluoride is especially critical for young children who lack regular access to dental services. Our coalitions of dentists, dieticians, medical doctors, researchers, and academics in Utah are available to all media to provide accurate information on fluoride. We call on Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Utah leadership to support science-based, community decision-making in public health policies.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Gov. Cox signs fluoridation ban into law
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — It's official, Governor Spencer Cox has signed a bill banning water fluoridation in public water systems – a nationwide first. H.B. 81 — or Fluoride Amendments — is a law that will to public water systems. It would also allow pharmacists to prescribed fluoride tablets to those needing fluoride as an alternative delivery method for those wishing to take fluoride. Currently, there are two counties and several municipalities across the state that fluoride their water systems, those systems serve around 1.6 million people. With the bill being signed by the governor, public water managers will have until May 7 to cease fluoridation operations. The process of fluoridation is the addition or removal of fluoride in order to meet the recommended levels beneficial to oral health, which is 0.7 milligrams per liter, or about three drops within a 55-gallon barrel of water. As fluoride is removed from Utah's public water, the new law allows pharmacists to prescribe fluoride tablets to those who which to continue receiving fluoride. Cox allows flag ban to go into effect without signature, acts on remaining bills Unlike other bills this session, the debate around fluoridation saw support and resistance from bi-partisan lawmakers as Utah's Republicans and Democrats either voiced support or opposition to the bill in the final vote in the legislature. The bill also garnered nationwide attention, as the Beehive State is the first in the nation to mandate a statewide ban on public water fluoridation. Although water providers will be removing their fluoridation systems, don't expect your water bill to be affected much. In previous statements to water providers don't expect prices to change at all for customers. Water Pro INC said residents might see 'less than 90 cents per month' in savings as a result of the ban. Other providers said that bills might go up as they get rid of standing supplies and equipment. Dentists have issued warnings about what the ban could mean for Utahns, saying that without fluoride cavities will go up, especially among the less fortunate. 'It really only hurts the children whose families are not aware of the benefits of the program, or cannot afford to go to their dentist or physician to get fluoride supplements,' Mark Fullner, local dentist in Utah County, told 'It also puts the burden of compliance on adults in those families who care enough to follow the guidelines to administer proper doses. Chances of a mistake in those circumstances seems to be much higher than the associated risks with well monitored addition of fluoride to the water source.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Will removing fluoridation reduce your water bill? Here's what cities say
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Utah's proposed ban on fluoridation has begun to send ripples throughout Utah as cities, towns, and water districts are anticipating the governor's signature on the proposed measure. — or Fluoride Amendments — was passed by the state legislature and sent to the governor in what will be the nation's first ban on water fluoridation. During an interview with Inside Utah Politics, the governor indicated to that he intends to sign the measure into law. While the ban was being discussed in the legislature, lawmakers spoke about the savings residents and cities will see once fluoridation stops. Sen. Kirk Cullimore (R-Utah County), the bill's Senate sponsor, told law makers during a debate on Feb. 20 that one of the reasons for the bill was to '[reduce] unnecessary costs' for people. PREVIOUS: Bill banning fluoridation one step away from becoming law in Utah However, how much money will residents actually save on their water bills if fluoridation is banned? The answer — not that much. However, the question is a little more complicated than a water bill. Fluoridation has effects on city budgets as well and its elimination can help save money on those budgets. We spoke to several water districts and cities, and this is what they told us. When it comes to your monthly water bill, fluoridation isn't a major contributor to your bottom line. Cities like Riverton, South Jordan, and West Jordan import their water from other sources and only maintain the infrastructure that gets the water to your faucet. In situations like this, cities don't need to fluoridate and just need to test the water to see if it's up to the recommended 0.7 milligrams per liter. Of the eight towns and water districts was able to reach in Salt Lake County, six said that costs wouldn't change. Water Pros INC, who supply a majority of the water in Draper, said that residents could see 'less than 90 cents per month' in savings as a result of the ban. Sandy City told that residents might see an initial increase in their bills as a result of removing their water fluoridation systems. This is due to the leftover fluoride they will have to dispose of, along with removing the infrastructure used to fluoridate the water. However, Sandy City also said that residents would see savings in the long term after these systems were removed — which brings us to the other side of the coin. Cities and water districts will see larger savings on account of the ban than residents will, however, there will be initial costs before those savings will be realized. Sandy City told that they do not know how much it will cost the city to remove their current fluoridation infrastructure, and to dispose of the fluoride they currently have on hand. According to the city, it costs $53,600 to add fluoride into the city's water supply. Of that amount, $21,840 goes to an employee to monitor the systems, $28,200 to maintain it, and $3,600 for the computer systems that add fluoride into the water. With the fluoridation ban, the city will no longer have to pay that amount, along with no longer needing to run tests to make sure the levels are up to standard. This would be consistent for any city or district that fluoridates their water. They will also no longer have to purchase the fluoride, which begs another question: Where will the fluoride that cities and districts have on hand go? Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District, a water district that supplies the water to several cities in Salt Lake County, shared with that it hopes to use up its supply before the May 7 deadline goes into effect. 'Jordan Valley Water anticipates it will use about 90% of its remaining fluoride supply by the time the law takes effect in early May,' a spokesperson for JVWCD said in a statement. 'I don't have the exact costs for the disposal of the remaining fluoride, but it will be minimal compared to our operating budget.' Fluoride stock left on hand cannot be resold or given off. According to Teresa Gray, resell isn't viable when dealing with remaining fluoride, saying that it's 'not really a viable option.''We have them at our wells throughout our distribution system,' Grey told 'And so, part of that cost that we need to look into is what is the transportation cost going to be?' According to JVWCD, they currently have 7,500-10,000 gallons of fluoride on hand, and they hope to have 1,500 gallons by May 1st. Before the ban, the district would typically order between 7-10 days before they needed to use the fluoride, however that varies depending on the time of year. The cost of fluoride varies. According to JVWCD, their typical purchase ranges from $3.63 to $9.40 per gallon. So, if 1,500 gallons of fluoride remained by the May 7 deadline, the district could face a loss between $5,445 to $14,100. This cost can vary for each township or district depending on supply on hand and how much is used by the deadline. Midvale, for example, expects to have less than 500 gallons on hand by the May 7 deadline. At the time of this writing, the governor has not signed H.B. 81 into law. For further updates, make sure to visit Inside Utah Politics! Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Utah is one step away from becoming 1st state to ban fluoride in water
SALT LAKE CITY (KTVX) – The Utah governor's signature is now all that stands between a state ban on water fluoridation after House Bill 81 cleared its final hurdle in the legislature on Friday. If that bill is signed into law, Utah would also become the first state to institute a full ban on fluoride in public water systems — with no provision allowing cities or communities to decide whether to add the cavity-preventing mineral in their localities. H.B. 81, also known as Fluoride Amendments, would instead allow pharmacists to prescribed fluoride tablets to those needing fluoride as an alternative delivery method. It's sick season. Here's how to protect against norovirus, COVID-19, flu and RSV 'I don't dispute that there can be positive benefits from fluoride, which is why the bill also includes a deregulation of the prescription,' state Republican Rep. Stephanie Gricius, one of the bill's sponsors, wrote in a text message to The Associated Press. 'This isn't anti-fluoride legislation, it is pro-informed consent and individual choice.' Debate in the legislature didn't last long. A brief presentation was given by the bill's sponsor, Sen. Kirk Cullimore, R-Utah County, which was followed by a few comments and concerns from senators. Concerns centered on disturbing local control when it came to adding fluoride to their water systems, as two counties in Utah have voted to add fluoride to their water systems. 'I don't really have a dog in the fight whether we fluoridate our water or not,' Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Davis County, told colleagues during debate. 'But I am not sure I'm comfortable with the legislature telling [local counties] that their local authorities can't do what their residents have voted to do.' Sen. Lincoln Fillmore, R-Salt Lake County, rose in favor of the bill, saying that there is a difference between fluoride added into water systems versus naturally occurring fluoride, and that adding fluoride to 'a universal good' was wrong for those who didn't choose to have fluoride. He also brought up cost concerns, saying most fluoride is wasted on lawns and bathrooms. The bill ultimately passed Friday in a mixed partisan vote of 18-8-3, with members of both parties voting for and against the measure. If signed by Republican Gov. Spencer Cox, the bill would require all current water systems to cease fluoridation in all public water systems by May 7, 2025. As of 2024, Utah has 484 public water systems, 66 of which add fluoride to their water systems. Those systems serve roughly 1.6 million people across several counties in Utah. Nexstar's KTVX has reached out to Cox's office for a comment. A representative said he was reviewing the bill and that the governor's office would provide more information when available. Water fluoridation is the action of raising naturally occurring levels of fluoride in water systems to aid in oral health of those who drink it. The Centers for Disease Control recommends a level of 0.7 milligrams per liter, which is equivalent to three drops within a 55-gallon barrel of water. Small amounts are beneficial for oral health, experts say, but an excess of fluoride can cause dental fluorosis (a change in the appearance of teeth) in children as well as digestive problems. Fluoridation is also the most cost-effective way to prevent tooth decay on a large scale, according to Lorna Koci, who chairs the Utah Oral Health Coalition. 'I think the anti-fluoride people, they're latching onto [Robert F Kennedy Jr.'s] opportunity with his beliefs and using that now as a way to kind of get in the door to stop water fluoridation,' Koci said. Kennedy has expressed skepticism about water fluoridation, which is considered one of the greatest public health achievements of the last century. Catholic community in Utah 'united in prayer' for the health of Pope Francis She added that fluoridated public water is often the only form of preventive dental care for some people, and the impacts may be most visible in low-income Utah residents. Fluoride strengthens the teeth and reduces cavities by replacing minerals lost during normal wear and tear, according to the CDC. Nearly two-thirds of the U.S. population drinks fluoridated water. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
