LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A bill working its way through the Kentucky legislature would make water fluoridation programs optional, essentially shifting the decision from the state to local water systems.
The water systems in Kentucky could choose to continue or stop water fluoridation. Currently, in Kentucky, community water systems serving at least 3,000 people are required to fluoridate their water.
Executive chairman of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology and practicing dentist, Dr. Jack Kall said he has been following the science of water fluoridation for the last 30 years and has some concerns.
Dr. Kall, who has been in practice for 47 years, said the claim is fluoride consumed through water fluoridation would be added into the tooth as it’s forming in babies and young children to help protect the teeth and provide a 25% reduction in tooth decay.
“It breaks my heart to have to work on two, three, four or five year olds, any child for that matter, and have to place fillings and, and put the child through that. And so the question is, are we really getting what we’ve been promised from water fluoridation,” said Dr. Kall.
According to 2020 numbers from the CDC nearly 73% of people on community water systems in the United States received fluoridated water. Kentucky is one of the highest, with 99% of water systems containing fluoride.
Vice President of Communication for Louisville Water Company, Kelley Dearing Smith, said Louisville Water has fluoridated its water since 1951.
“The science of drinking water and the science of public health is constantly changing. And that’s why research is critical. So no matter the issue, we are always going to take in an abundant amount of science, and we’re going to use that to make the best public health policy,” said Dearing Smith.
Dearing Smith said if House Bill 16 is passed and shifts control over to local water system authorities, Louisville Water will depend on science, research and industry professionals.
“So the American Dental Society has come out, and that is a national organization and endorsed community water fluoridation as a safe and cost effective way to maintain good oral health,” said Dearing Smith.
Louisville Water produces around 130 million gallons of drinking water every day and sends water to approximately a million people who live in the Louisville region and the surrounding counties.
Dr. Kall said because of the wide adoption of individuals using fluoridated toothpaste to brush their teeth, it has provided the predominant protection against tooth decay as opposed to adding it to the water.
“We’re constantly learning more about matters that are so critical. We got to be open to change. And if that means taking out of the water or not, you know, not adding it anymore, then that’s going to be in the best interest. And again, it gets back to the precautionary principle,” said Dr. Kall.
House Bill 16 goes to the Senate for further consideration. A similar bill to make fluoride optional in Kentucky was also brought up during the 2024 legislative session, but it failed to pass either chamber.
