The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) has responded to the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recent decision to remove ingestible fluoride prescription drug products for children from the market.
“The American Dental Hygienists’ Association acknowledges the FDA’s announcement regarding the removal of ingestible fluoride prescription drug products for children from the market,” said Erin Haley-Hitz, RDH, BSDH, MS, FADHA, MAADH, current president of ADHA. “ADHA maintains that fluoride provided to children should be administered at scientifically safe levels. Rationales for limiting use should be based on evidence, and there is no scientific evidence that fluoride at low levels affects gut microbiota.”
Haley-Hitz noted that this action by FDA comes at a time when some states, including Utah, are discontinuing community water fluoridation. She pointed out that this could make it more difficult to prevent tooth decay, especially in areas with fewer dental health resources.
“While avoiding sugar and maintaining good oral hygiene are fundamental to dental health, these measures alone are insufficient,” she said. “Fluoride and regular dental hygiene visits remain essential components of comprehensive cavity prevention, especially for those who lack resources for routine dental care.”
According to the ADHA, dental hygienists are adjusting their preventive approaches. This includes conducting individualized risk assessments and using targeted methods such as topical fluoride, silver diamine fluoride treatments, and focused patient education. However, these steps often depend on consistent access to dental professionals—something not guaranteed in all communities.
“We urge policymakers to consider the profound impact these decisions have on the oral health of the American people, and particularly vulnerable populations, and to support increased access to preventive dental care services,” Haley-Hitz said.
The full statement is available at adha.org/newsroom, with further information on fluoride and its preventive uses at adha.org/fluoride.
