Gov. Stitt's fluoride recommendation: What it means for your water, reaction from Oklahoma dentists

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt’s 'Make Oklahoma Healthy Again' initiative includes directing the Oklahoma State Department of Health to stop recommending fluoride in public water systems.

It's part of the national push from the Trump administration to improve health across the country. The state of Oklahoma has historically supported using fluoride to promote dental health, but Governor Stitt says he wants the state to stop endorsing fluoride and review its use. 

Related Story: RFK Jr. joins Gov. Stitt to launch 'Make Oklahoma Healthy Again' campaign at State Capitol

Tulsa Dentist Reaction

One Tulsa dentist is pushing back against Governor Stitt’s executive order to no longer recommend fluoride in public water systems, saying it will negatively impact Oklahoma's overall health.

Dr. Nicole Nellis, the president-elect of the Oklahoma Dental Association, says water fluoridation has been around for 7 decades and believes this is a dangerous step backward.

“I literally couldn’t believe it, I’ve been a practicing dentist for 11 years, I never thought this would be an issue I would have to address in my career,” she said.

She says that at high levels, fluoride can be toxic, but says a person would have to drink 92 gallons of water to get fluoride toxicity.  

“Removing the fluoride out of the water is not going to make Oklahoma healthy again, in fact, it’s going to have detrimental impacts on the health of Oklahomans,” Dr. Nellis said. 

Rural Impacts

The Oklahoma Dental Association says removing fluoride from water could increase tooth decay in the state by at least 25%. Dr. Nellis worries rural communities could be impacted the most if fluoride is removed from water, since for some people, it's their only source of oral hygiene.

“They do have access to fluoride, that’s just one small measure they have to help with some prevention, and if we take that away, it's just going to devastate those rural areas even further,” she said. 

City of Tulsa and THD Respond

In a statement from the city of Tulsa, it says:

For more than 71 years, the City of Tulsa has implemented the fluoridation of Tulsa’s water supply. Fluoridation is based on historical federal drinking water standards, which are followed by the City of Tulsa.

As has been the case, and will continue to be the case, the City of Tulsa’s top priority is to provide clean and refreshing water to its customers that is safe to drink. Consistently, year over year, the City not only meets but exceeds all federal requirements for public health standards. 

If and when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the CDC provide new, recommended dosage rates, the City of Tulsa will review those recommendations alongside our local health officials. Because the decision to use fluoride is left to municipalities, any decisions on fluoride will be made based on the recommendation of the Tulsa Health Department to both the Tulsa Metropolitan Utility Authority and the Tulsa City Council as fluoride rates are set by ordinance.

Delivering safe, quality drinking water will continue to be the standard in the City of Tulsa, as our water is not just safe but wins awards for being the best-tasting water in Oklahoma.

In a statement from the Tulsa Health Department, it says:

The Tulsa Health Department is committed to protecting and supporting Tulsa County residents. Maintaining recommended levels of water fluoridation significantly contributes to improved individual and community health outcomes. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the federal agency responsible for regulating safe drinking water. The U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) provides science-based guidance regarding the optimal level of fluoride in community water supplies. THD is committed to relying on the best available data and research to support public health in Tulsa County. Should the EPA, PHS, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issue new guidelines for water fluoridation, THD will make a recommendation to local municipalities.

How to Check Your Water

Water providers can tell you fluoride levels if you call them. Test kits and testing strips are also sold online, as well as fluoride-removing water filters. Click here to check if your water provider fluoridates your water. For certified labs for drinking water testing, click here.