Utah Dental Association issues guidance after FDA ‘drives stake through heart’ of fluoride supplements

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — The Utah Dental Association (UDA) has issued an urgent guidance days after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) moved to limit the use of fluoride supplements used to strengthen children’s teeth.

In a statement on Friday, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the FDA “is driving a stake through the heart of outdated science” adding that fluoride supplements are no longer recommended for children younger than three and those who are older but don’t face serious risks of tooth decay.

UDA says the decision can have implications on the beehive state, where fluoridation of community drinking water has already been banned. “As tooth decay remains the most common chronic disease worldwide and, in the U.S.A, it is important for parents to talk with their dentist or their child’s pediatric dentist whether fluoride supplements are right for their child,” Dr Rodney Thornell, President, UDA said.

The American Dental Association has opposed FDA’s move saying, “fluoride supplements have been shown to be effective at reducing tooth decay and are one method for maintaining oral health when utilized daily in compliance with the proper dose.”

What are fluoride supplements?

Fluoride strengthens teeth and reduces cavities by replacing minerals lost during normal wear and tear, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Fluoride tablets and lozenges are sometimes recommended for children and teens at increased risk of tooth decay or cavities because of low fluoride in their local drinking water. Companies also sell drops for babies. According to the CDC, they are safe and effective when used as directed.

What does the FDA say?

The FDA released a new scientific analysis Friday, concluding that fluoride supplements have limited benefits for children’s teeth and may be linked to emerging safety concerns, including gut issues, weight gain and cognition.

They added that “a recent meta-analysis suggesting increased fluoride exposure is associated with decreases in IQ.”

The FDA said the research follows months of gathering and evaluating scientific input and engaging with parents, clinicians, advocates, and federal partners through a public meeting and comment period. 

“The FDA has not reviewed or approved ingestible fluoride drug products for safety, effectiveness, or quality, even though they have been used since the 1940s,” they said in a statement.

Dentists concerned

The process to remove ingestible fluoride prescription drug products for children from the market began earlier this year. Dr James Bekker, a Utah-based pediatric dentist also testified at one of the hearings in July.

The UDA follows the American Dental Association Recommendation regarding fluoride supplements.  “The research shows that daily use of fluoride tablets or drops at home are a safe and effective way to strengthen teeth and prevent cavities in children who are at high risk for tooth decay and whose water is deficient in fluoride,” Dr. Richard J. Rosato, D.M.D., President of the American Dental Association said.

The UDA added that Utah’s dentists remain committed to helping parents make informed decisions and ensuring that every child has access to the benefits of fluoride in a safe, evidence-based way.