Lawmakers in Little Rock are currently debating the merits of adding fluoride to local water supplies. Senate Bill 2, which aimed to repeal the requirement for fluoride in drinking water, failed to pass out of committee but sponsors are not giving up on the issue. Arkansas is one of about a dozen states with laws mandating statewide fluoridation to promote dental health.
Supporters of the bill argue that fluoride should be a local control issue, allowing residents to make decisions within their own communities. They also raise concerns about health risks associated with fluoride in drinking water. However, opponents warn that ending the state’s fluoridation program could have negative consequences, particularly for low-income and rural communities with limited access to dental care and fluoride resources.
Senator Clint Penzo plans to propose another bill, Senate Bill 4, which would allow city or county voters to decide whether to remove fluoride from their water systems. Despite the debate, supporters maintain that removing fluoride from drinking water will not eliminate access to fluoride for dental health, as there are various other sources of fluoride available. The debate over fluoride in drinking water is ongoing, with lawmakers considering the balance between local control and promoting dental health in Arkansas.
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