Utah Water Fluoride: Updated Statistics

Water fluoridation is a crucial public health measure that helps prevent tooth decay and promote oral health. In Utah, the percentage of the population with access to fluoridated water has been increasing over the years, although it remains below the national average. Here are some key statistics and facts about water fluoridation in Utah:

– In 2018, 52.2% of Utah’s population served by public water systems had access to fluoridated water, a slight decrease from 52.7% in 2016. – Utah’s percentage of population with access to fluoridated water has grown from just 2.0% in 1992 to 52.2% in 2018. – Nationally, 72.7% of the U.S. population on community water systems received fluoridated water in 2020, putting Utah below the national average.

Utah’s Water Fluoridation Policies and Decisions

Unlike some states, Utah does not have a statewide mandate for water fluoridation. Instead, the decision to fluoridate is made by local municipalities or water authorities. This has led to a mix of fluoridated and non-fluoridated water across the state.

• Counties like Salt Lake and Davis have passed ordinances requiring drinking water suppliers to add fluoride, following approval by voters in elections.
• The debate over fluoridation has been contentious in Utah, with voters in Salt Lake and Davis counties approving the addition of fluoride to their drinking water in the early 2000s.
• However, not all counties in Utah have mandated fluoride in their drinking water, leaving the decision up to individual communities.

National Water Fluoridation Statistics and Objectives

Water fluoridation is widely recognized as a safe and effective public health measure in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has even identified community water fluoridation as one of the ten great public health achievements of the 20th century. Here are some national statistics and objectives related to water fluoridation:

• The Healthy People 2030 objective aims for 77.1% of people served by community water systems to receive water with the optimal level of fluoride.
• In 2020, 72.7% of the U.S. population on community water systems, or 209,145,650 people, had access to fluoridated water.
• In 2018, 63.4% of the total U.S. population and 73.0% of the population on community water systems received fluoridated drinking water.

Utah’s water fluoridation statistics reflect the state’s mixed stance on this important public health measure. While a significant portion of the population has access to fluoridated water, Utah still lags behind the national average. As local decision-making processes continue to shape the implementation of water fluoridation policies, it is crucial for communities to consider the proven benefits of fluoride in promoting oral health and preventing tooth decay.