Introduction to the Ban
By STEPHANY MATAT and KATE PAYNE
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a measure Thursday prohibiting local governments from adding fluoride to their water systems, making it the second state in the country after Utah to implement a statewide ban on the mineral.
Background on the Decision
DeSantis signed the bill at a public event in Dade City, Florida, over the concerns of dentists and public health advocates.
“We have other ways where people can get access to fluoride,” DeSantis said at a public event earlier this month. “When you do this in the water supply, you’re taking away a choice of someone who may not want to have overexposure to fluoride.”
Implementation and Timeline
State lawmakers approved the bill last month, requiring the mineral and some other additives be removed from water sources across the state. Utah was the first state to ban fluoride in late March, and its prohibition went into effect last week, while Florida’s provision is effective July 1.
Some local governments in Florida have already voted to remove fluoride from their water, ahead of the statewide ban. Earlier this month, Miami-Dade County commissioners voted to override a veto by Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and move forward with plans to remove fluoride from the county’s drinking water.
Opposition and Concerns
“Water fluoridation is a safe, effective, and efficient way to maintain dental health in our county – and halting it could have long-lasting health consequences, especially for our most vulnerable families,” Levine Cava said in a statement defending her veto.
Some Republican-led states have sought to impose bans following a push by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to stop fluoridating water. Earlier this month, DeSantis pledged to sign the bill and was flanked by the state’s surgeon general, Joseph Ladapo, who has attracted national scrutiny over his opposition to policies embraced by public health experts, including COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
Health Implications of Fluoride
Fluoride is a mineral that has been added to drinking water for generations to strengthen teeth and reduce cavities by replacing minerals lost during normal wear and tear, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The addition of low levels of fluoride to drinking water has long been considered one of the greatest public health achievements of the last century.
Excess fluoride intake has been associated with streaking or spots on teeth. And studies also have traced a link between excess fluoride and brain development.
Conclusion
The decision by Florida to ban fluoride from its water system marks a significant shift in public health policy, one that has been met with both support and criticism. As the second state to implement such a ban, Florida follows in the footsteps of Utah, raising questions about the future of water fluoridation across the United States. The health implications of this decision will be closely watched, particularly in relation to dental health and the potential effects of excess fluoride intake.
FAQs
- Q: Which states have banned fluoride from their water systems?
A: Utah and Florida are the two states that have banned fluoride from their water systems. - Q: Why was fluoride added to drinking water?
A: Fluoride was added to drinking water to strengthen teeth and reduce cavities by replacing minerals lost during normal wear and tear. - Q: What are the potential health risks associated with excess fluoride intake?
A: Excess fluoride intake has been associated with streaking or spots on teeth and has been linked to brain development issues. - Q: When does the ban on fluoride in Florida’s water system take effect?
A: The ban on fluoride in Florida’s water system is effective July 1.Payne, who reported from Tallahassee, Florida, is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Originally Published: May 15, 2025 at 11:04 AM PDT
