Oakland aldermen vote to remove fluoride from city water after extended public hearing

The Oakland Board of Aldermen voted to remove fluoride from the town's water supply following a public hearing where residents, a county health official and medical professionals gave mixed testimony.

Supporters, including Dr. Savannah Hughes and county health director Tina Baum, told the board that community water fluoridation at recommended levels helps prevent tooth decay, especially among children and low-income residents with limited access to dental care. "Fluoride has been shown to reduce tooth decay by at least 25 percent in children and adults," Dr. Hughes said, adding that the current recommended concentration is 0.7 parts per million.

Opponents raised concerns about potential systemic risks, cited international examples and recent studies, and urged local control or removal. Ken Wasany and Floyd Newhouse said they prefer personal choice over community-wide fluoridation and pointed to recent legal and scientific challenges. "If you want fluoride for your teeth, virtually every toothpaste made contains all the fluoride your teeth need," Newhouse said.

Why it matters: Fluoridation of drinking water is a public-health policy with local budget and operations implications; removal changes a long-standing preventive measure that public-health staff said disproportionately benefits children and underserved residents. Several speakers said local dentists are scarce and that systemic fluoride provides baseline protection.

What the board did: After the hearing and a period of aldermanic discussion about pending state legislation on fluoridation, an alderman moved to remove fluoridation from the municipal system. A roll-call vote recorded three "yes" votes (Aldermen Campbell, Austin and Hummel) and two abstentions (Alderman Bailey and the vice mayor). The mayor declared the motion carried and ordered removal of fluoride from the water system.

Key details and claims made during the hearing: - Supporters: Dr. Savannah Hughes (local clinician) and Tina Baum (county director, health department) said fluoride at 0.7 ppm is safe, effective and particularly benefits children and lower-income residents with limited dental access. The speakers noted that community fluoridation historically reduced tooth decay and that topical-only approaches do not reach everyone. - Opponents: Several residents and self-described health professionals cited international comparisons (noting many Western European countries do not fluoridate) and recent literature, including a February 2024 Cochrane Collaboration review and a U.S. federal-court matter described by a speaker as related to the Floyd Action Network and the EPA. Speakers raised concerns about potential effects on children's neurodevelopment and other long-term risks; some advocated targeted alternatives such as school-based fluoride or donated toothpaste. - Local context: Witnesses said Fayette County has few dental offices (speakers listed about six local dental offices), and one health official said dental decay is a leading cause of missed school days.

Discussion and limits of authority: Board members noted pending Tennessee legislation addressing fluoridation and debated whether to wait for state action. Board members were told local water districts retain authority to act; the town moved forward to honor resident requests rather than await uncertain state action.

Outcome and next steps: The aldermen approved removal of fluoridation from Oakland's water system (motion carried; three in favor, two abstentions). The board did not specify an implementation timeline during the meeting; staff will follow administrative steps required to stop fluoridation and will report back to the board.

Voices quoted in this story came from the public hearing and the board meeting transcript.