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Tallahassee, FL - The Secretary of the Florida Department of Health has called for an end to fluoridation in public drinking water, a move that has reignited debates over the benefits and potential risks of fluoride.
In a letter sent to the state’s water utilities, Florida Department of Health Secretary Joseph Ladapo expressed concerns about the long-term health impacts of fluoride, citing studies that suggest potential risks to children and other vulnerable populations.
This recommendation challenges decades of public health guidance that has endorsed water fluoridation as a safe and effective method for reducing tooth decay.
Public health experts and dental associations were quick to respond, emphasizing the proven benefits of fluoride in preventing cavities and improving overall dental health.
Critics of the Secretary’s stance argue that eliminating fluoride could disproportionately harm low-income communities with limited access to dental care.
Supporters of the recommendation, however, applaud the call to end fluoridation, pointing to studies linking excessive fluoride exposure to health issues such as bone density problems and developmental concerns.
The proposal does not enforce a ban but encourages local water utilities to reconsider their use of fluoride.
Many Florida municipalities currently fluoridate their water, and any changes would require approval from local governments.
Earlier this month, the Winter Haven City Commission voted to remove fluoride from its drinking water by 2025.
The Winter Haven City Commission voted 3-2 to remove fluoride from the city’s drinking water, a decision set to take effect by January 1st, 2025, or as soon as reasonably practical thereafter.
The move follows debates over government involvement in public health and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s stance against water fluoridation.
“The government really should not be involved in healthcare, or what goes into the bodies of citizens,” said Mayor Pro Tem Brian Yates told NBC affiliate WFLA.
Supporters of the decision argued that health-related choices should be left to individuals rather than mandated by government policy.
Kennedy has advocated for removing fluoride nationwide and has associated fluoride with potential health risks that has been met with opposition from health experts.
Fluoride, which has been added to U.S. drinking water since 1945, is widely recognized as a major public health achievement for its role in reducing tooth decay.
The decision places Winter Haven among a small but growing number of communities reconsidering water fluoridation.
The change will require adjustments to the city’s water treatment processes.