Florida Joins Growing Movement Against Water Fluoridation

Florida has become the second state to ban fluoride in public drinking water, escalating a contentious national debate between public health officials warning of increased tooth decay and advocates championing personal choice in healthcare decisions. The bill passed by Florida lawmakers now awaits Governor Ron DeSantis’s signature, who has already signaled support for the measure.

The legislation represents a significant shift in a seven-decade-old public health practice that the CDC had previously recognized as one of the ten greatest public health achievements of the 20th century, with repercussions potentially extending far beyond Florida’s borders.

A Gathering Political Momentum

Utah became the first state to ban fluoride in March 2025 when Republican Governor Spencer Cox signed legislation prohibiting the addition of the cavity-fighting mineral to public water systems. Florida’s approach differs slightly, as the bill doesn’t specifically mention fluoride but instead prevents local governments from adding anything to water supplies not directly related to safety standards, according to Deseret News.

Two additional states—Ohio and South Carolina—are currently considering similar measures, while legislative proposals in Kentucky, North Dakota, and Tennessee have been rejected. DeSantis has framed the issue around personal autonomy, stating: “Jamming fluoride in the water supply…is essentially a forced medication. At the end of the day, we should all agree that people deserve informed consent.”

Shifting Federal Health Guidance

The state bans coincide with significant changes in federal health leadership under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has previously labeled fluoride a “dangerous neurotoxin” and linked it to various health conditions. Kennedy posted in November 2024 that the Trump administration would “advise all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from public water,” according to CNN.

While that executive order hasn’t materialized, Kennedy has indicated he will direct the CDC to stop recommending fluoride addition to water systems. Simultaneously, the Environmental Protection Agency announced it is reviewing scientific information regarding potential health risks, citing findings from the National Toxicology Program suggesting a possible association between certain fluoride levels and lower IQs in children.

Dental Health Experts Sound Alarm

The American Dental Association has strongly condemned the state bans, with President Brett Kessler stating the moves showed “wanton disregard for the oral health and well-being of their constituents.” The organization maintains that fluoridated water reduces dental decay by at least 25% in children and adults, even with other fluoride sources like toothpaste widely available.

Dental professionals warn that removing this preventive measure will disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. “Any dentist can look in someone’s mouth in Utah and tell exactly where they grew up. Did you grow up in a fluoridated area or a non-fluoridated area? We can tell by the level of decay,” noted Dr. James Bekker, a pediatric dentist at the University of Utah, in comments to The Associated Press.

Scientific Evidence and Risk Assessment

The debate centers partly on conflicting interpretations of scientific evidence. A federal judge ordered the EPA in 2024 to further regulate fluoride in drinking water, citing some research suggesting exposure at twice the recommended level could be associated with lower IQs in children. However, many experts note these findings typically involve fluoride concentrations significantly higher than those used in U.S. water systems.

The National Institutes of Health maintains it is “virtually impossible” to receive toxic doses from fluoride added to water or toothpaste at standard levels. Dr. Darren Chamberlain, a pediatric dentist in Utah, told CNN the impact of fluoridation is “pretty obvious” in patient outcomes, noting: “If I have new patients come into my practice, I can guess probably eight or nine times out of 10 if they’ve grown up in a fluoridated community…because, generally, they don’t have cavities.”

Real-World Consequences

Experts point to previous fluoride removal experiments as cautionary tales. After Calgary, Canada voted to ban fluoride in 2011, the city experienced a notable spike in dental cavities among children, ultimately leading legislators to reverse their decision in 2024. Similarly, a study of Medicaid claims from an Alaskan city showed that five years after ending community fluoridation, there was an average of one additional dental procedure per child.

With fluoride tablets currently requiring prescriptions, health officials warn that maintaining adequate fluoride levels will become a more active and potentially expensive process for families. The Utah Department of Health & Human Services has released guidance encouraging residents to consult dental professionals about alternatives, while experts work with lawmakers to reclassify fluoride tablets for over-the-counter purchase—a regulatory change that could take months or years to implement.