Harnett County health officials recommended keeping fluoride in its drinking water on Thursday.
Harnett County Board of Health Members spent 20 minutes watching a presentation on the benefits of water fluoridation, with members emphasizing that fluoride levels are closely monitored.
Dr. Lor Langdon, a doctor with Cape Fear Valley Health and faculty advisor at Campbell University, said she hopes the county will take the matter seriously.
“It could have far-reaching effects, even past Harnett County,” Langdon said. “I think it’s extremely reasonable to take into account the desires of the other communities that are affected by this decision.
Rebecca Brock, who attended Thursday’s meeting, shared with WRAL News the lack of fluoride had on her husband.
“Now he has far worst teeth and more dental bills, even as a senior, due to the fact he didn’t have fluoride as a young person,” Brock said.
Harnett County residents aren’t the only people who get their water from the county. Fuquay-Varina residents get their water from Harnett County, Johnston County and Raleigh.
In Holly Springs, all of its water comes from Harnett County.
“I would urge you to consider how any changes to your regional water system could impact your bulk water customers, who also have regional water connections,” said Sean Mayefskie, mayor of Holly Springs.
According to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “community water fluoridation benefits all members of a community by preventing cavities, reducing oral health disparities and saving money for everyone.”
However, debates about fluoride’s effectiveness have intensified on the federal level.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. earlier in April shared plans to tell the CDC to stop recommending fluoridation in communities nationwide.
“There is no systemic advantage, it’s zero systemic advantage,” Kennedy said. “The only advantage comes from topical application.”
Kennedy cannot order communities to stop fluoridation, but he can direct the CDC to stop recommending it and work with the EPA to change the allowed amount.
At a packed public meeting on Monday, Dr. William Criswell was one of the few people who spoke out in opposition to community water fluoridation, citing government overreach.
“The fact there’s doctors who have difference of opinion should tell you that maybe the government should not be adding it to the water because topically is how it works,” Criswell said.
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners will make a final decision on Tuesday.
Original article online at: https://www.wral.com/lifestyle/health/harnett-health-board-fluoride-decision-april-24-2025/