WGAL 8 In Focus examined the long-running debate over fluoride in public water systems, a practice used in the U.S. since 1945. Supporters say it helps prevent tooth decay, while critics question whether it should remain a community-wide measure.
York oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Jim Boyle III, who is also a member of the Pennsylvania Dental Association, explained that tooth decay begins when natural bacteria in the mouth break down enamel, which can lead to pain, abscesses, and even tooth loss. He said some people are more susceptible to cavities because of diet or the natural composition of their teeth.
Boyle said fluoride strengthens enamel by replacing some of its calcium, making teeth more resistant to bacteria. He noted that fluoride helps at all ages, for both baby teeth and adult teeth.
He also traced the history of fluoridation to a Colorado community where residents had mottled, brown-stained teeth but very low decay rates. Researchers eventually linked that to naturally occurring fluoride in the water. Boyle said too much fluoride can cause fluorosis and, in excessive amounts, other health problems, but he said 0.7 parts per million is the ideal level for protecting teeth without negative effects.
He compared the benefit of fluoridated water to a seatbelt and airbags: an added layer of protection. If people do not get fluoride in their water, he recommended regular dental care, fluoride toothpaste, topical fluoride, and supplements if needed.
Hanover keeps fluoride
Hanover Borough Manager Margie Lewis and Water Treatment Plant Supervisor Kevin Anschuetz said Hanover began adding fluoride to its water in 1973, after it was recommended as a cavity-reducing additive.
Lewis said borough leaders revisited the issue after a council member raised concerns prompted by articles about communities removing fluoride. The matter went to the water and sewer committee, then borough council, and a town hall was held so residents could weigh in.
Lewis said many residents spoke in favor of keeping fluoride, though there was also strong opposition online and in public discussion. Borough council ultimately voted 6 to 4 to keep it.
Anschuetz explained that fluoride is delivered in bulk and added through a peristaltic pump at about 0.8 mg/L, with doses controlled by the flow system. He said the process is standard and consistent, and the plant checks levels every few hours around the clock.
Lewis said the borough spent about $36,000 on fluoride last year, along with equipment and maintenance costs. She added that Hanover has also received more than $10 million in grant funding over the last three years as an environmental justice community, helping reduce costs for residents.
Chambersburg removes fluoride
The borough of Chambersburg will stop adding fluoride to drinking water. Mayor Kenneth Hock cast the deciding vote in May, saying the decision was made after careful consideration and discussion.
He said changing beverage habits played a role, noting that many children no longer drink tap water directly as previous generations did and instead consume bottled drinks, soda, sports drinks, and juice. He questioned whether adding fluoride to public water remains the most effective way to address dental health today.
A legislative push for choice
State Sen. Dawn Keefer, who represents the 31st district in Cumberland and York counties, has introduced the Fluoride Choice Act.
Keefer said the bill would give individuals the choice to consume fluoride or not, rather than requiring it across public water systems. She said people could choose fluoride drops or tablets if they wanted supplementation.
Keefer pointed to Hanover as an example of a community that held public meetings and voted to keep fluoride. She said the bill is about choice, not about taking a position on whether fluoride is beneficial overall.
Keefer said the proposal is currently in the Senate environmental committee and may be taken up in the fall. She also said there is some support among colleagues.
Why dental hygienists oppose removing it
Kimberly Bury, president of the Pennsylvania Dental Hygienists Association and a board member for the Pennsylvania Coalition for Oral Health, said she was not surprised that fluoride has become a budget and policy issue in communities.
Bury said there is credible evidence of harm only in very high excess amounts, but not at optimal levels used in community water. She said fluoridated water can reduce tooth decay by up to 60%.
She argued that people still have choices, including using home filtration systems or getting fluoride through dental care. But she said access to dental care in Pennsylvania is limited, especially in underserved communities, where many people do not regularly see a dentist.
Bury also raised cost concerns, saying it can cost communities $1 to $2 per person to fluoridate water, while avoiding fluoridation can shift costs to disease management and raise the burden to $20 to $38 per person. She said children bear the greatest cost through missed school and families through missed work and dental emergencies.
The bigger picture
The segment closed with the message that fluoride remains a deeply divisive issue, balancing public health, personal choice, cost, and access to care.
Original article online at: https://www.wgal.com/article/fluoride-in-water-debate/71559242