Florida has joined Utah as the second state to ban fluoride in public drinking water, with Governor Ron DeSantis signing legislation. The ban prevents certain additives in water systems in what DeSantis describes as a stand against “forced medication.” Why do major health organizations continue to support fluoride’s use despite the risks?
Florida Becomes Second State to Ban Fluoride
Governor Ron DeSantis has signed legislation making Florida the second state, after Utah, to ban fluoride from public drinking water supplies. The ban, which goes into effect July 1, came as part of the Florida Farm Bill (SB 700) and prohibits certain additives in water systems across the state.
DeSantis framed the decision as a stand against government overreach, stating, “Forcing fluoride into your water is actually not good. Yes, use fluoride for your teeth; that’s fine. But forcing it in the water supply is basically forced medication on people.” The governor emphasized that Floridians still have the option to add fluoride to their water at home if they choose.
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a measure 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. https://t.co/BxjZijgl9Z
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) May 16, 2025
Local Response and Scientific Debate
Miami-Dade County has already taken steps to remove fluoride from its water system, overriding a veto from Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. Cava expressed disappointment with the statewide ban, noting that it “disregards the overwhelming consensus of dentists, doctors, and medical experts and will end a practice that has been in place for decades to protect our health.”
The decision comes amid scientific debate about fluoride’s effects, with a 2019 study suggesting a slight decrease in IQ levels among children whose mothers had higher fluoride exposure during pregnancy. A federal ruling in 2024 required the EPA to review fluoride risks in drinking water, with the judge stating the health risks at current US exposure levels are “sufficiently high to trigger regulatory response.”
Florida 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.
— CBS News (@CBSNews) May 15, 2025
National Implications and Medical Response
Florida’s decision reflects a growing movement against water fluoridation, with several other states, including Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and North Carolina, considering similar legislation. The anti-fluoridation movement has gained momentum partly due to advocacy from figures like Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has questioned fluoridation practices.
Major health organizations continue to support water fluoridation as a public health measure. The American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the CDC maintain that fluoridation is safe and effective for preventing tooth decay, pointing to evidence that communities without fluoridated water often experience higher rates of dental problems.
The National Toxicology Program has found links between high fluoride exposure and lower IQs in children, though fluoride proponents argue the benefits at recommended levels outweigh potential risks. Hawaii, which does not mandate water fluoridation, has reported a high prevalence of tooth decay among children, raising questions about the potential public health impacts Florida may face following the ban.