FRANKFORT — A Kentucky bill that would make water fluoridation optional passed the House Local Government Committee Wednesday, sparking debate over public health and local control.
House Bill 103 would allow local water systems to decide whether to add fluoride to drinking water. The bill, which has been proposed in previous years without success, now has more than 30 cosponsors. It passed the committee 13-4 and is headed to the House floor.
Rep. Mark Hart, R-Falmouth, said the bill includes a clause protecting water districts from lawsuits over their decisions. “This bill does not ban fluoride. It removes the state’s unfunded mandate and puts the choice in local hands,” Hart said.
Currently, Kentucky requires utilities serving more than 3,000 customers to add low levels of fluoride, which the National Institutes of Health says helps prevent cavities and tooth decay.
Supporters of the bill, like Louisville dentist Jack Kall, argue it gives residents more choice. Citing research linking fluoride levels above 1.5 milligrams per liter to lower IQ in children, Kall said, “Even though we don’t have all the answers, it’s prudent to apply the precautionary principle.” He called the lack of choice “a travesty.”
Opponents, including the Kentucky Dental Association, maintain that fluoride is safe. Executive Director Steve Robertson noted that federal courts have weighed in on recommended fluoride levels but said, “The preponderance of evidence shows that fluoride has been safe. The science has turned into a spin contest.”
Public health advocates also voiced concerns. Brittany Elam of Kentucky Voices for Health spoke against the bill. A coalition of groups including Delta Dental of Kentucky, the Kentucky Oral Health Coalition, and Louisville Water Company sent a letter warning that removing fluoride could worsen oral health disparities.
“Maintaining water-fluoridation programs promotes a healthier, more engaged workforce,” the letter stated. “Dental problems affect Kentuckians’ ability to work and learn, with children nearly three times more likely to miss school due to poor oral health. Jeopardizing these programs will increase healthcare costs, particularly for low-income communities.”
Cynthiana Mayor Isaac Dailey expressed support in a letter, emphasizing that local water systems are best positioned to assess community needs and operational impacts. “Water systems differ greatly in capacity and resources, and local officials are accountable to the communities they serve,” Dailey wrote.