Idaho House Divided Over Pro-Fluoride Resolution

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A non-binding resolution recognizing water fluoride as a key tool to improving public health divided the Idaho House on Friday.

House lawmakers voted 46-19 after several opposing lawmakers argued the resolution overstated the benefits of fluoride. Republican Rep. Lynn Luker of Boise cited a Wikipedia article on the House floor to argue that some studies have shown negative consequences of using fluoride.

Yet House Minority Leader John Rusche of Lewiston, who is also a former pediatrician, countered that fluoride helps prevent children from experiencing a lifetime of bad teeth. Health officials have long noted that most communities have fluoride in their water supplies, and toothpaste has it too. Some kids are even given fluoride supplements. However, fluorosis has generally been seen as the primary down side of fluoride.