Residents, local officials and medical experts gathered at the Oroville City Council Chambers today to debate whether fluoride should stay in the public water supply.
More than a year ago, city councilors voted to remove fluoride, but the decision is ultimately up to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), which held the public hearings.
While it’s been scientifically-proven that fluoride reduces cavities and strengthens teeth, a handful of Oroville residents echoed the council’s decision, saying they also wanted the mineral removed from their taps.
That includes Brian Wong, who said he understands fluoride may have been needed decades ago, but he doesn’t feel it’s necessary anymore.
“At that time we didn't have fluoride in toothpaste and mouthwash and all those things,” Wong said. “But the fact is, today, we have it in all those things already, so times have changed.”
He also said he’d like to choose what goes into his and his family’s bodies.
Doctors from Butte County and Ampla Health argued for fluoride to stay in the water, saying it’s a cost-effective way to keep the community healthy.
Dr. Emilia Kodiath, chief dental officer at Ampla, said the nonprofit’s Oroville dental clinic sees the most emergency walk-ins in the region. She said her staff would struggle to keep up if fluoride is removed.
“What we would see in our clinics, there would be more patients coming in for emergencies, more kids missing school, more adults, especially those with cancer because that's just what I see in this community,” Kodiath said.
Oroville began fluoridating its water in 1957 after residents petitioned for it.
Decades later, the practice is under new scrutiny both locally and nationally, with calls to end fluoridation growing, including from federal leaders.
Cal Water says it will continue adding fluoride to Oroville’s water until state regulators make a decision, likely by March.