Should fluoride be in your water? Oklahomans weigh in
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Should fluoride be in your drinking water? That's a big question buzzing around the state right now.
Gov. Kevin Stitt's 'Make Oklahoma Healthy Again' initiative directs the Oklahoma State Department of Health to stop recommending fluoride in public water systems.
"I've been in practice for 30 years and I never thought our state would be a state to talk about taking out fluoride out of the water," said Dr. Tamara Berg, vice president of American Dental Association and past president of the Oklahoma Dental Association.
Many dentists across the state are now speaking out against the directive.
"We already know that community water fluoridation already diminished cavities by 25 percent in both adults and children," said Dr. Berg.
By removing fluoride from water, Dr. Berg believes there will be more cavities, especially in rural and low-income populations.
"We don't have the workforce to handle all the cavities that are there and by removing water fluoridation, we're just going to see an increase and that's going to make our dentists busier and make people suffer more and miss more days of school and out of work," said Dr. Berg.
While those on the other side think differently.
"Water needs to be its purest as possible. If you're adding medications to water, not everybody can handle the same medication," said Liza Greve, executive director, Make Oklahoma Healthy Again PAC and Oklahomans for Health and Parental Rights Foundation.
Greve says people need to have a choice about what they're drinking.
"Like I live in an area where we don't have fluoride in the water and so then, you know, if I go to a different area, you may not do well with that, that medicine or that product, so it's just nobody gets informed consent on that," said Greve.
News 4 reached out to the Oklahoma State Department of Health:
In Oklahoma, the decision to participate in water fluoridation has always been made locally. While OSDH has encouraged this in the past, we recognize there are evolving concerns about what constitutes a safe level while providing dental health benefits. It is our responsibility to consider these concerns and evaluate in the context of the latest scientific research. We are encouraged by the opportunity to work with the Make Oklahoma Healthy Again (MOHA) advisory council to identify strategies for a healthier Oklahoma.
Oklahoma State Department of Health
We also reached out to the City of Oklahoma City's Utilities Department:
The Oklahoma City Utilities Department sources raw water that naturally contains fluoride. For more than 60 years, we have added a small amount of fluoride during treatment, following guidance from health experts.
Oklahoma City Utilities Department
We keep fluoride levels in compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Drinking Water Standards. Currently, treated water from both Oklahoma City water treatment plants contains the recommended fluoride level of 0.7 mg/L per the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ).
We do not plan to change our treatment practices at this time.
We follow the guidance of public health and regulatory agencies. If the EPA, ODEQ, Oklahoma State Legislature, Oklahoma City Council, or other authorities update their recommendations or requirements we will adjust our practices.
To see if you have fluoride in your water at home, click here.