It’s Time for Texas to End Forced Fluoridation

This commentary was written by Don Huffines exclusively for The Dallas Express and published here.

For decades, Texans have been subject to a mass-medication scheme that affects millions of people every day — without their explicit consent. The practice of adding fluoride to public drinking water has been touted as a cost-effective way to promote dental health, but the science tells a different story. New research has raised serious concerns about the safety and effectiveness of water fluoridation, and the time has come for Texas to end this dangerous archaic policy.

Fluoridation isn’t just a public health issue; it’s a question of liberty. People should have the right to choose what substances enter their bodies, especially when mounting evidence proves that fluoride is not only ineffective but is harmful. Texas, known for its commitment to freedom and personal responsibility, should lead the charge in rejecting this outdated practice and set an example for the rest of the country.

Just this year, the National Toxicology Program released a comprehensive study showing a clear link between fluoride exposure and lower IQ in children. Another study found that “excess fluoride exposures can have deleterious effects on the expecting mother and fetus and is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes,” including “anemia, miscarriage, abortion, and still birth.” Judge Edward Chen of the U.S. District Court took these findings seriously, ruling that the risks posed by fluoride are severe enough to demand regulatory action. Even the Environmental Protection Agency’s own experts conceded that fluoride is dangerous at certain levels.

It’s baffling that millions of Texans are being forcibly medicated without their consent with fluoride. In fact, only 6% of the world’s population lives in countries that fluoridate water — and almost half of that number resides in the United States. For decades, the rest of the world has understood the toxicity of fluoride in water and banned the practice—including 97% of the countries in Europe.

Consider Dallas, where the debate over fluoridation heated up again last year. Proponents argued that fluoridation benefits those who don’t have access to dental care. But critics pointed out that there is no definitive evidence proving that fluoride in drinking water reduces tooth decay. Excess fluoride exposure is called fluorosis, a condition where the enamel on teeth becomes permanently damaged, a very expensive condition to fix. According to the CDC, fluorosis affects about 20% of the U.S. population. As local leaders like Council Member Adam Bazaldua asked, are we truly basing this policy on best practices, or are we blindly clinging to a status quo pushed by powerful lobbying groups?

The answer is clear. Forced fluoridation is not about public health. It’s about control — and a partnership between government bureaucrats, technocratic experts, and industry insiders who have been allowed to dictate what’s best for the public without accountability or consent. As economist Murray Rothbard explained, these alliances use the power of the state to enforce their will with no regard for personal liberty.

Some defenders of fluoridation claim it’s a cheap and easy way to protect children’s teeth. But at $282 million a year nationwide, it’s a hefty price to pay for a practice that is neither safe nor effective. Texans shouldn’t be footing the bill for a failed public health experiment, especially one that risks the cognitive development of children and the health of pregnant women.

The solution is simple: Texas should eliminate forced fluoridation and save taxpayer dollars. We must adopt policies that empower individuals and parents, rather than forcing them to accept substances in their water that they might oppose. Fluoridating water is a dangerous step toward medical tyranny, and Texans should have the right to say “no” to outdated and harmful policies.

Ending forced fluoridation won’t just protect the health of citizens — it will also affirm our commitment to freedom and personal responsibility. Texans have always stood strong in defense of liberty, and it’s time for our leaders to follow suit. The science is clear, and the people of Texas deserve better. Let’s prioritize the health freedom of our citizens by stopping the addition of this known toxin into our water supply.

Forced medicalization is the apex of tyranny. I encourage all citizens to contact their water provider and find out if fluoride is being added; if so, demand that they stop the indefensible poisoning of Texans!