Harnett County defers decision on removing fluoride after hours of public comment

Harnett County commissioners deferred a final vote on whether to remove fluoride from the county—s drinking water after a night of testimony from municipal leaders, dentists, doctors and dozens of residents.

The postponement keeps the county—s current fluoridation practice in place while the Harnett County Board of Health reviews the issue. Holly Springs Mayor Sean Mayewski and Jim Seymour, assistant town manager for Fuquay-Varina, asked the commissioners to delay any change so municipal officials, their residents and Harnett County public-health staff can review the data and consider regional impacts. "We respectfully request deferral of any potential action to remove fluoride until our governing body, residents, our professional staff, and the Harnett County Board of Health can also provide review and provide input," Mayewski said.

Supporters of continued fluoridation — including retired and practicing dentists, pediatricians and county health officials — told the board that community water fluoridation has long, peer-reviewed evidence of benefit and disproportionately helps children…