Utah has become the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water, despite widespread opposition from dentists and national health organizations. Republican Gov.

Utah just became the first U.S. state to ban fluoride in public water systems. Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican, signed a bill into law on Thursday that prohibits any person or government entity from adding the mineral, which can prevent tooth decay, to water systems in the state.

Republican Governor Spencer Cox signed a bill into law Thursday banning fluoride from the state's drinking water becoming the first to do so.