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 and low-income residents who have limited access to dental care. Retired dentist Dr. Catherine Evans said community water fluoridation has been used safely for decades: "Community water fluoridation is no new or experimental idea. The scientific studies prove it's been used safely over 75 years," she said.

Why it matters: county water is a regional supply that serves municipal customers and interconnected systems. Several speakers warned that a unilateral change by Harnett County could cause confusion for neighboring towns that purchase bulk water and are part of an interconnected regional system.

What speakers said - Sean Mayewski, mayor of Holly Springs (local government): Asked commissioners to delay action and asked to see any scientific data the county intends to use to support removal. - Jim Seymour, assistant town manager, Fuquay-Varina (local government): Asked the county to include municipal governing bodies and public-health staff in any review before a policy change. - Dr. Catherine Evans (retired dentist): Cited the U.S. Public Health Service—s recommended fluoridation level of 0.7 mg/L and said fluoridation can reduce tooth decay roughly 25 percent. - Dr. Laurie Langdon (pediatrician, vice chair, Harnett County Board of Health): Urged commissioners to "put some stock" in the Board of Health—s forthcoming recommendation and highlighted the benefits for foster and marginalized children who often lack regular dental care. - Dr. John Briggs (retired family physician; Harnett County Health Department medical director): Cited cost-benefit estimates, saying fluoridation yields substantial savings and greater access to preventive dental care in underserved areas. - Several dentists (Eldon Sloan, Don Sloan) described clinical experience seeing less progressive decay in children from fluoridated areas compared with non-fluoridated areas. - A smaller set of speakers challenged fluoridation as a systemic intervention and suggested point-of-use filtration or topical alternatives. One commenter noted concerns about the chemicals used in treatment processes and asked staff to publish safety data sheets for treatment chemicals.

Evidence cited and requests for review Speakers referenced national public-health endorsements (CDC, American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatrics) and the U.S. Public Health Service recommendation of 0.7 mg/L. Several health professionals urged commissioners to rely on the Harnett County Board of Health—s expertise and on peer-reviewed studies before altering county policy. A municipal representative noted the county—s regional customers and warned about operational impacts to interconnected systems.

Next steps and outcome Commissioners agreed to defer final action until after the Harnett County Board of Health meets and produces its recommendation. The board did not adopt any ordinance or regulation at the meeting; a final decision will return to the commissioners after the Board of Health—s review.

Ending: The county—s water remains fluoridated while health officials and municipal leaders review data. The record shows extensive professional testimony both for continuing fluoridation and from a minority raising alternative approaches; commissioners said they will await the Board of Health—s recommendation before voting.