I’m from Kentucky, having spent time in both rural and urban areas. I know firsthand how tough it can be to access dental care, no matter where you live.
Growing up, my mom drove over 40 minutes to get me to dental appointments. Without Medicaid, we wouldn’t have had any dental care. I watched my parents, both working low-wage jobs, struggle with their teeth. Finding a dentist was one challenge, but affording the necessary treatments was another. Over the years, they lost a lot of teeth due to this lack of care.
When my mom was 30, she found out she had periodontal disease. This was heartbreaking, especially since it had gone untreated for so long. Today, as I share my story, I do it not just as a professional but as someone deeply affected by the challenges of dental care access.
Currently, Kentucky is debating HB103 and SB55, bills that would let local water districts decide whether to continue fluoridating public drinking water. This shift places the decision in the hands of communities, which means their voices will matter. When we visit communities throughout Kentucky, we hear a common refrain: families can’t get the dental care they need. This is where fluoride comes into play, having helped prevent tooth decay for over fifty years. Oral health experts agree that preventive care is essential, and fluoride is crucial to that approach. Thankfully, Kentucky’s water systems are regulated to safely manage fluoride levels.
Let’s look at costs. Preventing tooth decay costs less than a dollar per person each year. However, if we lose access to fluoridated water, treating decay could cost around $20 million annually just for kids on Medicaid. This doesn’t account for other healthcare costs. We also have a shortage of dental professionals, especially in rural areas. Even if we wanted to treat decay instead, we don’t have enough dentists. Efforts to grow Kentucky’s oral health workforce have seen slow progress.
Moreover, the federal EPA is reviewing fluoride exposure and its health effects, which could shape future recommendations. We need to be patient while this process unfolds.
If these bills advance, it’s essential that Kentuckians have a voice in the decision. Clear public notice and participation should be mandatory to ensure the community’s health needs are met. This is vital as families are already facing numerous economic hurdles.
Now isn’t the time to silence them over an issue like water fluoridation, a resource that benefits everyone. Let’s make sure our legislators understand the importance of preserving these preventive measures to protect our families.
Brittany Elam is a policy specialist for Kentucky Voices for Health.
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Brittany Elam,dental care,Kentucky Voices for Health,oral health protections,oral healthcare,water fluoridation
