The Influence of Public Trust on Fluoridation Policy Across U.S. Administrations
Advisor(s)
King, Brian
Confirmation
1
Document Type
Paper
Location
ONU McIntosh Center; Ballroom
Start Date
21-4-2026 4:10 PM
End Date
21-4-2026 4:25 PM
Abstract
This paper analyzes how changes in public trust in government and scientific institutions have influenced U.S. fluoride policy across different administrations. When water fluoridation was first introduced in the mid-twentieth century, it was widely accepted as a public health success, supported by strong trust in both government authority and scientific expertise. As a result, early policy decisions were largely guided by expert consensus and implemented with little resistance. Over time, however, public trust in these institutions has declined, reshaping the way fluoride policy is debated and decided. Increasing political polarization, greater access to conflicting information, and the spread of misinformation have contributed to growing skepticism toward public health recommendations. In this environment, fluoride policy has become more contested, with decisions influenced not only by scientific evidence but also by public perception and political pressures. By examining policy shifts across multiple administrations, this paper argues that trust now plays a central role in shaping public health policy. Understanding this shift is critical, as it demonstrates that the effectiveness of science-based policy depends not only on evidence, but also on the public’s willingness to trust the institutions that promote it.
Recommended Citation
Falke, Lydia N., "The Influence of Public Trust on Fluoridation Policy Across U.S. Administrations" (2026). ONU Student Research Colloquium. 31.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2026/Papers/31
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The Influence of Public Trust on Fluoridation Policy Across U.S. Administrations
ONU McIntosh Center; Ballroom
This paper analyzes how changes in public trust in government and scientific institutions have influenced U.S. fluoride policy across different administrations. When water fluoridation was first introduced in the mid-twentieth century, it was widely accepted as a public health success, supported by strong trust in both government authority and scientific expertise. As a result, early policy decisions were largely guided by expert consensus and implemented with little resistance. Over time, however, public trust in these institutions has declined, reshaping the way fluoride policy is debated and decided. Increasing political polarization, greater access to conflicting information, and the spread of misinformation have contributed to growing skepticism toward public health recommendations. In this environment, fluoride policy has become more contested, with decisions influenced not only by scientific evidence but also by public perception and political pressures. By examining policy shifts across multiple administrations, this paper argues that trust now plays a central role in shaping public health policy. Understanding this shift is critical, as it demonstrates that the effectiveness of science-based policy depends not only on evidence, but also on the public’s willingness to trust the institutions that promote it.