FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ADHA Issues Statement on FDA Action Regarding Ingestible Fluoride Prescription Products
ADHA president expresses concern over impact on oral disease prevention, particularly in underserved communities
CHICAGO, May 13, 2025 – The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA®) today released a statement from President Erin Haley-Hitz, RDH, BSDH, MS, FADHA, MAADH, regarding the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s announcement on the removal of 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 Haley-Hitz. “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 emphasized that this FDA action comes at a critical time when states like Utah are eliminating community water fluoridation, creating unprecedented challenges for oral disease prevention, particularly in underserved populations and rural areas with limited access to dental care.
“While avoiding sugar and maintaining good oral hygiene are fundamental to dental health, these measures alone are insufficient,” Haley-Hitz continued. “Fluoride and regular dental hygiene visits remain essential components of comprehensive cavity prevention, especially for those who lack resources for routine dental care.”
The statement notes that dental hygienists are adapting by implementing alternative prevention strategies including thorough risk assessments, targeted topical fluoride applications, silver diamine fluoride treatments, and enhanced patient education. However, these interventions require regular access to dental professionals, which remains a significant challenge in underserved areas.
“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 concluded.
The full statement is available at adha.org/newsroom. Additional resources and information about the use of fluoride as a preventive resource visit adha.org/fluoride.
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About the American Dental Hygienists’ Association
The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) is the only organization representing the professional interests of the more than 220,000 dental hygienists in the United States. Dental hygienists are preventive oral health professionals, licensed in dental hygiene, who provide educational, clinical and therapeutic services that support total health through the promotion of optimal oral health. The Journal of Dental Hygiene (JDH), published bi-monthly, is ADHA’s scientific journal and flagship publication. To learn more about the ADHA, dental hygiene or the link between oral health and general health, visit www.adha.org.
ADHA Media Contact
Bronwyn Barrera, MBA
(312) 440-8911
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