The fight over fluoride in drinking water is not new – it’s been around ever since public programs began in the 1940s.

But now, there is a push to end fluoridation programs. United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F Kennedy Jr has criticized fluoridation, claiming it contributes to a host of afflictions, including bone cancer and thyroid disease. 

Around the country, some areas are taking actions to end fluoridation. 

Last week, Utah became the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water. That is slated to take effect on May 7th. 

Here in Washington, the southwestern cities of Camas and Longview are both considering banning fluoride.

Guest:


Dr. Charlotte Lewis is a pediatrician at Seattle’s Children's Hospital. She’s also a professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington’s School of Medicine,  where her work is focused on increasing access to dental care and expanding pediatricians' understanding and involvement in oral health.

Relevant Links:
Utah Becomes First State to Ban Fluoride in Public Water - NYT
Longview City Council looking to 'punt' fluoride decision to voters - Lower Columbia Currents
Camas could be the first community in Washington to remove fluoride from drinking water - The Columbian

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

The fight over fluoride in drinking water is not new &ndash; it&rsquo;s been around ever since public programs began in the 1940s.
But now, there is a push to end fluoridation programs. United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F Kennedy Jr has criticized fluoridation, claiming it contributes to a host of afflictions, including bone cancer and thyroid disease.&nbsp;
Around the country, some areas are taking actions to end fluoridation.&nbsp;
Last week, Utah became the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water. That is slated to take effect on May 7th.&nbsp;
Here in Washington, the southwestern cities of Camas and Longview are both considering banning fluoride.
Guest:
<ul>
<li>
Dr. Charlotte Lewis is a pediatrician at Seattle&rsquo;s Children's Hospital. She&rsquo;s also a professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington&rsquo;s School of Medicine,&nbsp; where her work is focused on increasing access to dental care and expanding pediatricians' understanding and involvement in oral health.
</li>
</ul>
Relevant Links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/28/well/utah-fluoride-ban.html">Utah Becomes First State to Ban Fluoride in Public Water</a> - NYT</li>
<li><a href="https://andrestepankowsky.substack.com/p/longview-city-council-looking-to">Longview City Council looking to 'punt' fluoride decision to voters</a> - Lower Columbia Currents</li>
<li><a href="https://www.columbian.com/news/2025/mar/18/camas-could-be-the-first-community-in-washington-to-remove-fluoride-from-drinking-water/">Camas could be the first community in Washington to remove fluoride from drinking water</a> - The Columbian</li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

Last week, Utah became the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water. Here in Washington, the southwestern cities of Camas and Longview are both considering banning fluoride.

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