My perspective on fluoridated water is a personal one. I am one of four children in my family, uniquely born outside of Utah where my mother consumed fluoridated water during her pregnancy and where I had access to fluoridated water during my early childhood. This public health intervention in New York contributed to my solid dental health and I’m grateful for that simple community-based intervention. This contrasted starkly with the dental issues experienced by my siblings born in Utah, prior to the introduction of fluoridated water. It raises the question - why are we denying such a simple and effective health intervention?

 Fluoride is more than just another natural element; it has a significant impact on the health and development of our children's teeth. In minimal doses, fluoride is safe and is a guaranteed cavity prevention intervention.

Water fluoridation was introduced in the 1940s as a public health measure to reduce dental caries (tooth decay) and it is proven to reduce decay by at least 25% in children and adults (source: CDC).

 The decision to remove fluoride from our state's water is not only detrimental to our children’s health but also takes away an accessible, cost-effective cavity prevention intervention from those who can't afford it. Alternatively, if some individuals prefer non-fluoridated water, they have the option and privilege to invest their money in buying non-fluoridated water. This is not an option I would choose for my children, but it is and always has been available.



The unjustified removal of fluoride is a substantial step back in our collective public health effort and a disservice to Utah citizens. Furthermore, it has great potential for harm to future generations. Yes, in fact, I do like my original teeth!

We call on our Utah Legislators to reconsider and reintroduce fluoride into our water supply. Support us by signing this petition. Let's restore fluoridated water for the sake of our children, our families, and future generations. 

Respectfully,

Sarah Petersen, MD

Pediatrician & Mother

Addressing Common Concerns:

“Evidence Supporting Community Water Fluoridation:

Despite overwhelming evidence supporting the safety and preventive benefits of fluoridated water, community water fluoridation continues to be a controversial and highly emotional issue. Opponents express a number of concerns that have been addressed or disproven by validated research. The only scientifically documented adverse effect of excess (nontoxic) exposure to fluoride is fluorosis. An increase in the incidence of mild enamel fluorosis among teenagers has been cited as a reason to discontinue fluoridation, although this is a cosmetic condition with no detrimental health outcomes. Recent opposition has sometimes centered on the question of who decides whether to fluoridate: elected and/or public officials or the voters. Some opponents believe fluoridation to be mass medication and call into question the ethics of community water fluoridation, but courts have consistently upheld that it is legal and appropriate for a community to adopt a fluoridation program.45 Opponents express concern about the quality and source of fluoride, claiming that the additives (fluorosilicic acid, sodium fluoride, or sodium fluorosilicate), in their concentrated form, are highly toxic byproducts of the production of phosphate fertilizer and may include other contaminants, such as arsenic. The quality and safety of fluoride additives are ensured by Standard 60 of the National Sanitation Foundation/American National Standards Institute, a program commissioned by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and testing is conducted to confirm that the concentrations of arsenic or other substances are below those allowed by the EPA.46 Finally, there have been many unsubstantiated or disproven claims that fluoride leads to kidney disease, bone cancer, and compromised IQ. More than 3000 studies or research articles have been published on the subject of fluoride or fluoridation.47 Few topics have been as thoroughly researched as community water fluoridation, and the overwhelming weight of the evidence (along with over 75 years of experience) supports the safety and effectiveness of this public health practice.”  ‘Fluoride Use in Caries Prevention in the Primary Care Setting’ Clark et al. Pediatrics (2020) 146 (6): e2020034637. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2020-034637      

References:

The truth about fluoride in water: A public health success story with Colorado roots' (2024) https://www.uchealth.org/today/the-truth-about-fluoride-in-water-a-public-health-story-with-colorado-roots/Fluoride Use in Caries Prevention in the Primary Care Setting

Clark et al, 'Fluoride Use in Caries Prevention in the Primary Care Setting' Pediatrics (2020)  https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/146/6/e2020034637/33536/Fluoride-Use-in-Caries-Prevention-in-the-Primary

'AAP, ADA stand by fluoride recommendations following court ruling' (2024) https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/30299/AAP-ADA-stand-by-fluoride-recommendations?autologincheck=redirected​ https://www.ada.org/about/press-releases/community-water-fluoridation-prevents-painful-dental-disease 

'Fluoride for Children: Parent FAQs' American Academy of Pediatrics (2025) https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/oral-health/Pages/FAQ-Fluoride-and-Children.aspx?​_gl=1*18tmb9j*_ga*MTA0Njk3MTEyMC4xNzQ0Mzk2MzI0*_ga_FD9D3XZVQQ*MTc0NDM5NjMyMy4xLjEuMTc0NDM5NjQ2MS4wLjAuMA

'About Community Water Fluoridation' Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (2024)  cdc.gov/fluoridation/about/index.html

'A tale of two cities finds that community water fluoridation prevents caries' (2021) American Dental Association https://adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2021/august/community-water-fluoridation-prevents-caries/A tale of two cities finds that community water fluoridation prevents caries

'Ten Great Public Health Achievements' (2000) Achievements in Public Health, 1900-1999: Fluoridation of Drinking Water to Prevent Dental Caries. JAMA. 2000;283(10):1283–1286.  doi:10.1001/jama.283.6.735 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/192389