💨 Abstract

The practice of adding fluoride to public water systems in the U.S. faces new challenges and bans, which experts warn could lead to significant health and financial costs. A new study estimates that removing fluoride from U.S. public water would result in 25.4 million additional cavities in children and adolescents within five years, costing $9.8 billion in healthcare. These numbers could more than double within a decade, significantly impacting low-income children who rely on public insurance like Medicaid.

Courtesy: WTOP Staff