By LINA ALFIERI STERN
Cities across Florida, most recently the City of Longwood, in Seminole County, have voted to remove fluoride from their drinking water supply, a move that reflects a growing skepticism toward government-backed health policies.
These actions have emerged amidst ongoing debates regarding the safety and efficacy of community water fluoridation, especially in light of recent guidance from Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, who issued a press release on Nov. 22 recommending against adding fluoride to public drinking water.
Notably, Dr. Ladapo has expressed public health views that diverge from those of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including his opposition to the COVID-19 vaccine. In response to Dr. Ladapo’s position, the American Dental Association (ADA) issued a press release on Nov. 23, firmly opposing his stance and reaffirming its support for community water fluoridation.
The Florida Legislature may now be weighing in on the issue. Senator Keith Truenow, R-Tavares, filed SB700, named the “Florida Farm Bill.” Supported by Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, the bill, among other changes, would amend the definition of “water quality additive” to mean, “any chemical or additive which is used in a public water system for the purpose removing contaminants or increasing water quality. The term does not include additives used for health-related purposes.”
It would prohibit the use of a “water quality additive” that doesn’t meet the definition. A companion bill has been filed by Rep. Kaylee Tuck, R-Lake Placid.
Traditionally, fluoride has been added to drinking water to prevent tooth decay by strengthening tooth enamel. However, Dr. Ladapo and others have raised concerns about the potential health risks associated with fluoride exposure, specifically linking it to neurobehavioral issues in children, including increased risks of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), sleep disturbances, skeletal fluorosis, and thyroid problems. His recommendations suggest that alternative sources, such as toothpaste and mouthwash are sufficient for maintaining oral health, thereby questioning the need for fluoridation in public water supplies. This view of the potential harmful effects of fluoride matches closely with those of the new Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The Longwood City Commission’s vote aligns with a broader movement observed across Florida and various municipalities, both in the U.S. and Europe, where cities are increasingly opting to eliminate water fluoridation. Recent developments in Fort Pierce, Tavares, Ormond Beach, Immokalee, Melbourne, Naples, Stuart and Port St. Lucie have similarly endorsed the removal of fluoride from their water systems.
In February, Lee County voted to remove fluoride from its water supply, as Ladapo spoke in person in support of the measure. Later in February, however, the city of Fort Myers, which is within Lee County, voted to leave fluoride in its water supply.
Several health organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Dental Association, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), continue to advocate for water fluoridation, emphasizing its safety and effectiveness as a preventive measure against tooth decay. These organizations argue that the benefits of fluoride in maintaining dental health far outweigh potential risks.
Research from the University of Florida has contributed to the discourse surrounding fluoride, particularly concerning its effects on brain development and bone health. The University’s Fluoride Aluminum Brain and Behavior (FABB) Lab is dedicated to investigating such exposures among younger populations. Several studies led by UF researcher Dr. Ashley Malin indicate a correlation between higher fluoride levels in the urine of pregnant women and an increased risk of neurobehavioral issues in children at age three.
“There have been 10 high-quality rigorously conducted prospective studies on early life fluoride exposure and neurodevelopment in North America that have all found associations of higher fluoride exposure with worse child neurodevelopment,” Dr. Malin said. “I led the first US-based study on this topic, published last May (2024), that found that higher prenatal fluoride exposure was associated with more neurobehavioral problems among 3-year-old children in Los Angeles, California.”
While fluoride is recognized for its benefits—such as enhancing bone density and reversing cavities—concerns about its neurodevelopmental impacts persist.
The controversy surrounding fluoride in drinking water reflects a complex interplay between public health initiatives aimed at preventing dental decay and the rights of individuals to make informed choices regarding their health. As Longwood and other municipalities embarks on this new path, its actions may serve as a precedent for other communities grappling with similar decisions in the future. The ongoing debate highlights a critical question: how to balance community health benefits with individual liberties in public health policy.
