HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) – If the Trump administration moves forward with a plan to eliminate fluoride from the water supply, Connecticut will be ready.
Gov. Ned Lamont announced on Monday that he signed legislation requiring the state to preserve existing water fluoridation standards.
Lamont said the legislation was a defense in case the Trump administration changes the federal standard.
The governor said he has the support of local dentists.
“Community water fluoridation has been effective in the United States for nearly a century, and it remains one of the most successful and efficient strategies in improving oral health,” Lamont said. “There is no reason to tamper with this health standard, which has been proven to be safe and effective for many decades. With this enactment of this new state law, we will ensure that this public health standard continues in Connecticut regardless of whatever political decisions are made at the federal level.”
Lamont said he appreciated the leadership of state Senate Democrats for bringing the issue before the legislature.
He said fluoride standards have been backed by nearly a century of scientific research and were proven public health measures. Experts argue that fluoride significantly prevents tooth decay in children and adults, reducing cavities by up to 25 percent even with regular use of fluoride toothpaste.
The United States first added fluoride to drinking water in the 1940s, and it has been credited as being one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In addition to health benefits, experts said water fluoridation offers major cost savings. On average, every $1 invested saves $38 in dental treatment.
Connecticut state statutes most recently required public water systems to maintain an average monthly fluoride content that is not more or less than 0.15 mg/L different than the amount that is recommended by U.S. Health and Human Services, which is currently 0.7 mg/L.
The new state law preserves that 0.7 mg/L standard in state statutes, no longer keeping it tied to HHS.
Original article online at: https://www.wfsb.com/2025/07/14/connecticut-preserves-existing-water-fluoride-standards/