Arizona's fluoride ban debate pits health freedom against dental science
Arizona may soon ban fluoride in public water supplies if a new bill becomes law. State Senator Janae Shamp, a Republican from Surprise, introduced Senate Bill 1019 to stop the addition of fluoride and related compounds to drinking water. The proposal has now cleared a key hurdle after the Senate Committee on Government advanced it to a full vote.
Shamp, a registered nurse, frames the bill as a push against government overreach. She argues that mandatory water fluoridation removes personal choice in healthcare, as residents have no option but to consume it. The senator also anticipates resistance, predicting Governor Katie Hobbs would veto the measure if it passes the legislature.
Scientific findings have fuelled the debate. A 2021 report by the National Toxicology Program warned that fluoride levels above 1.5 milligrams per litre in drinking water could lower children's IQ. Higher exposure has also been linked to weakened bones, arthritis, thyroid issues, and an increased risk of fractures. Meanwhile, dental fluorosis—a condition causing tooth discolouration—affects 41% of children aged 12 to 15 and 36% of teenagers aged 16 to 19, according to the CDC.
Yet studies continue to support fluoridation's benefits. Research from the CDC and American Dental Association between 2021 and 2025 found it reduces tooth decay by 25% in fluoridated areas compared to non-fluoridated ones. Some studies even suggest it matches or outperforms alternatives like fluoride toothpaste and dental sealants when combined with public health programmes.
If approved, Arizona would join Florida and Utah as the only states banning water fluoridation.
The bill now heads to the full Senate for a vote. Should it pass, the decision will rest with Governor Hobbs, who Shamp expects to reject the measure. The outcome will determine whether Arizona residents continue receiving fluoridated water or become the third state to prohibit the practice.
