Fluoride in Harnett County Water: What Happened at the April 21 Commissioners Meeting

Pay Attention | Stay Engaged | Speak Up

At the April 21, 2025, Harnett County Board of Commissioners meeting, the topic of water fluoridation was discussed, continuing deliberations from earlier sessions. The board is evaluating the benefits and potential risks associated with adding fluoride to the county's water supply. The Board heard passionate public comment on the proposal to remove fluoride from the county’s drinking water—a practice that has been in place since the 1950s.

The overwhelming message from the community? Keep fluoride in our water.

What We Heard

Medical professionals, local officials, and concerned residents packed the room and spoke powerfully about the importance of fluoride in promoting dental health—especially for children, seniors, and those without access to regular dental care.

  • Doctors and dentists shared data and stories from decades of practice, highlighting fluoride’s role in reducing cavities and lowering long-term healthcare costs. Read more below. 
  • Town leaders from Holly Springs and Fuquay-Varina—both of which receive water from Harnett County—urged the Board to delay any decision until regional partners, residents, and the Board of Health could review the issue. 
  • Residents voiced concern about the potential ripple effects of removing fluoride, particularly for low-income families who rely on community water fluoridation for basic oral health protection. Read more below.

A small number of speakers opposed fluoride, citing government overreach and alternative delivery methods, but the overwhelming majority supported keeping it.

General Themes

  • Health Equity: Many speakers emphasized that fluoride protects the most vulnerable residents—children, low-income families, and the uninsured.
  • Scientific Consensus: Numerous references were made to support from the CDC, ADA, WHO, and decades of studies showing fluoride is safe and effective at recommended levels.
  • Call for Deliberation: Almost all parties requested that no decision be made until further review by the Board of Health and impacted municipalities.

No Decision Made—Yet

The Commissioners did not vote on the fluoride issue during the April 21 meeting. They plan to continue the discussion at a public work session scheduled for:

Tuesday, April 29, 2025
9:00 AM
Harnett County Administration Building

How You Can Get Involved

✔ Attend the Work Session: A visible, engaged public makes a difference. Even if you don’t speak, your presence matters.

✔ Email the Commissioners: Let them know where you stand. You can find contact details on the Harnett County Government website.

✔ Talk to Your Neighbors: Many residents aren’t aware this issue is under review. Share what you’ve learned and encourage others to join the conversation.

✔ Support Science-Based Policy: Ask the Board to rely on the guidance of the Harnett County Board of Health, which includes licensed pediatricians, dentists, and public health professionals.

Fluoride in our water isn’t just a technical issue—it’s a matter of public health, equity, and common sense. Let’s continue to pay attention, stay engaged, and speak up to protect what matters.

In Their Own Words

Medical and Dental Community (Strong Support for Fluoride):

  • Katherine Evans (retired dentist) and Dr. Lori Langdon (pediatrician and Chair of Pediatrics at Campbell University) stressed fluoride’s role in preventing tooth decay, especially among children from underserved backgrounds.
  • John Briggs (Medical Director, Harnett County Health Dept.) cited CDC data that fluoride reduces cavities by 25%, is cost-effective, and benefits areas lacking dental access.
  • Elden Sloan shared anecdotal evidence of better dental outcomes in fluoridated areas, contrasting Harnett and Lee Counties.
  • Don Sloan highlighted the economic impact of removing fluoride, estimating millions in lost work productivity due to increased dental issues.
  • Other speakers, including students and public health advocates, pointed to real-world increases in tooth decay in areas that removed fluoride.

Public Comments (Opposing Fluoride):

  • William Criswell, a pharmacist, questioned the systemic benefit of ingested fluoride, claiming it works only topically and should be delivered through toothpaste, not water. He also raised concerns about the chemical used—hydrofluorosilicic acid—and its industrial origins.
  • Other speakers expressed concerns about individual freedom, government overreach, and long-term safety.

Watch a recap of April 21, 2025 County Commissioners Meeting:

 

Watch the full April 21, 2025 County Commissioner Meeting: