If states ban fluoride, kids with cavities and Medicaid costs could spike, study finds

March 19, 2026 - 14:25

A new study warns that removing fluoride from community drinking water would have significant negative consequences for children's dental health and public healthcare costs. The research specifically projects that if five additional states were to enact bans on fluoridation, the result would be an estimated 132,572 additional children requiring cavity fillings or tooth extractions.

The analysis highlights that community water fluoridation, a public health measure in place for decades, is a major factor in preventing tooth decay. Its removal would disproportionately affect low-income families who rely on Medicaid for dental care. The study estimates that the initial dental treatment costs for these additional cases could reach as high as $27.5 million annually across the five states, placing a new burden on state Medicaid budgets.

Dental health advocates stress that cavities are the most common chronic disease among children in the United States and are largely preventable. They argue that fluoridated water acts as a critical equalizer, providing protection regardless of socioeconomic status or access to regular dental care. The study's findings suggest that policy shifts away from fluoridation would represent a step backward for oral health, leading to more pain and procedures for children and higher costs for taxpayers.