It has been almost four months since HB81 went into effect, removing fluoride from Salt Lake County's water system. Water fluoridation is a passive public health intervention that has benefitted millions of Americans for over 80 years. Prior to this intervention, dental decay was at a peak.
Unfortunately, Utahns have been fearmongered by influencers and politicians into believing that fluoride is going to cause impairments for their children. Extensive research advises this is untrue and the impacts it will have on our community will be far more damaging. The CDC declared national water fluoridization one of the 20th century's greatest public health achievements. It's right up there with car safety measurements and the danger of tobacco.
While all people benefit from water fluoridation, children require fluoride intake throughout their developmental years to ensure development of healthy and strong teeth. With this bill going into effect, families must visit their doctor and request an oral fluoride supplement for their children. For many Utahns, water fluoridation is the only form of preventative dental care they have access to. We have already seen the negative impacts of removing fluoride from the water. In 2011, Calgary, Alberta, removed fluoride from their water. Quite rapidly, children began experiencing detrimental dental decay. Dental work for children often requires IV sedation, which has a far higher known risk than that of fluoride.
Removing fluoride from our water systems is an issue of access and discrimination. Utah is consistently rolling out policies and bills that disfavor minority groups. Notably, Utahns didn't even get the chance to vote on this change.
While fluoride removal may not significantly impact the average middle class Utahn, it will have devastating effects on our low income families and children.
Sophie Hannah, Salt Lake City
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