Israel stopped fluoridating its public water in August 2014, though the practice had been phased out in the preceding months due to a Health Ministry decision to discontinue the practice.
While the ministry had planned to reintroduce fluoridation in 2015 and 2016 due to concerns over increased tooth decay in children, budgetary issues prevented the policy from taking effect, and water in Israel remains unfluoridated.
Timeline of events
August 2014:
The Ministry of Health officially discontinued the mandatory fluoridation of public water supplies in Israel.
2015/2016:
Following discussions within the Ministry of Health, it was decided that fluoridation should be reintroduced due to a sharp rise in dental caries, particularly in children, following the cessation of the practice.
2016:
An amendment to the drinking water regulations was approved to allow for the reintroduction of fluoridation.
Present day: The reintroduction of fluoridation never took effect due to budgetary constraints and has not happened to date. Reasons for the decision to stop
A previous Health Minister, Yael German, decided to end the mandatory practice citing health concerns, such as potential harm to people with thyroid problems and the elderly.
Some sources also mentioned the argument that 99% of water is not for drinking purposes.
Consequences of the cessation
Dental health professionals and studies have noted a significant increase in tooth decay, especially in young children, after fluoride was removed from tap water.
A study from 2024 reported that the number of dental restorations and crowns had doubled in 3- to 5-year-old children in Israel since the cessation of fluoridation, according to jweekly.com.
Israel Journal of Health Policy Research
Israel to discontinue fluoridation of tap water
Aug 25, 2014 — As health minister ends program, 5.3 million residents to lose controversial additive. By ToI Staff 25 Aug 2014, 6:10 ...
The Times of Israel
Water fluoridation by country - Wikipedia
In 2011, the Health and Welfare Committee of the Knesset criticized the Health Ministry for continuation of water fluoridation. On...
Israel Journal of Health Policy Research
https://ijhpr.biomedcentral.com › articles
by SS Nezihovski · 2024 · Cited by 7 — Community water fluoridation began in the 1945 as a public health measure to prevent and control caries and was implemented in Israel in 1981. Community water fluoridation reduced caries significantly, but in 2014, the Ministry of Health decided to stop Community water fluoridation in Israel.
I wonder does it have anything to do with desalinating water ?