FRANKFORT — A bill that would allow local communities to stop fluoridating their water gained nearly unanimous support in a House committee on Thursday despite dental experts’ opposition.

House Bill 141’s sponsor, Rep. Mark Hart, R-Falmouth, has proposed the measure in the past but this is the first time it received a committee hearing.

“It’s a bill that will undo an unfunded state mandate and return … this decision (to fluoridate water) to local control,” Hart said.

He said the bill does not remove fluoride from the water. Rather, it allows local municipalities and water districts to remove fluoride if they choose.

Kentucky consistently ranks among the worst states for dental health. A 2023 assessment reported the state has more people 65 or older missing all of their natural teeth than any other state.

Supporters of the bill said fluoridating water does not help protect teeth and could lead to lower IQs in children or lead to other health problems.

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