Florida on the brink of enacting law to exclude fluoride from communal water supply systems
Florida has taken a controversial step in public health regulation, banning the addition of fluoride to municipal drinking water supplies effective July 1, 2025. Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 700, a bill that prohibits water providers from adding water quality "additives," including fluoride, to drinking water[1][2][5].
Reasons for the Ban
The move comes amid growing scrutiny of fluoride's safety by some public officials, including a review announced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and EPA regarding fluoride risks[1]. Supporters of the ban argue there are potential health risks linked to fluoride exposure, especially for vulnerable groups like pregnant women and children[4]. Some view the mandatory fluoridation of water as government overreach or unsafe, promoting personal choice over mandated fluoridation[4].
Implications of the Ban
Water providers in Florida—numbering 97 across 27 counties—will stop adjusting fluoride levels, although fluoride naturally occurs in some groundwater sources[2]. Dental professionals and public health advocates express concern that the ban could lead to worse dental health outcomes, particularly increasing cavities among children and elderly populations who benefited most from water fluoridation[2][3].
Florida becomes the second U.S. state to enact a statewide fluoride ban after Utah; other states have proposed similar legislation but most maintain local control over fluoridation decisions[1].
Opposition Views
Dental experts stress that fluoridation is a safe, effective, and cost-efficient method to prevent tooth decay at the community level. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to recommend fluoride at about 0.07 parts per million in drinking water as a public health measure[2]. Critics argue that the ban ignores the broad scientific consensus supporting fluoridation's benefits and may negatively impact statewide oral health[3][4].
Controversy and Concerns
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava has expressed disappointment over the passage of the Florida bill to ban fluoride, believing it disregards the consensus of dentists, doctors, and medical experts[6]. Brett Kessler, president of the American Dental Association, has stated that blindly calling for a ban on fluoridated water hurts people, costs money, and will ultimately harm the economy[7].
As the Florida measure goes to Governor DeSantis' desk, the debate continues over the safety and effectiveness of fluoride in drinking water, with dental and health professionals highlighting risks related to increased dental disease burden[1][2][3][4][5].
References
- The Washington Post
- Associated Press
- American Dental Association
- The New York Times
- Report for America
- Freida Frisaro, Associated Press writer
- The New York Times
- The ban on adding fluoride to Florida's drinking water, a move driven by concerns about health risks and government overreach, could ignite a broader controversy in the realms of health-and-wellness, politics, and general-news.
- As the state's authorities weigh in on the safety and effectiveness of fluoride in the media, dental and health professionals continue to stress its long-standing benefits in the field of science.
- The economy could potentially be impacted if the ban on fluoride in drinking water results in higher healthcare costs due to increased instances of tooth decay.
