Water authorities in a Florida city initiate formal proceedings to eliminate fluoride from the local water system, following the state's lifting of the mandatory fluoridation requirement.
Ocala, Florida, the city 75 miles northwest of Orlando, kicked off the process this week to boot fluoride from its water supply, aligning with the state's latest rule. This comes after Governor Ron DeSantis put his signature on a bill that eliminated local governments from pumping fluoride into public water systems, passed by state lawmakers last month, effective July 1, 2025.
As for Ocala, it's been adding fluoride since 1961 and paid around $50,000 yearly for this endeavor. The city's council votes on Tuesday to alter the ordinance, making the city compliant with the state law. The transformation is expected to take some time, but the city's water resource team guarantees it'll be in line by the July 1 deadline.
Before the state-wide enactment, local communities in Florida were looking to halt adding fluoride to the public water source. Miami-Dade County commissioners voted 8-2 last month to scuttle fluoride while the city of Stuart stripped it in November 2024, post the state surgeon general Dr. Joseph Ladapo called for guidance against water fluoridation.
Fluoride, a mineral that naturally exists in water sources, some foods, and beverages, is added to some dental products to combat cavities. High-quality studies show that fluoride prevents cavities and mends damage caused by mouth bacteria. It also restores minerals lost due to acid breakdown, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Yet, influential skeptics such as Dr. Ladapo and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have always harbored suspicions about fluoride's advantages. In a November 2024 interview with NPR, Kennedy vowed to persuade local governments to cut fluoride from their water supplies. He also aimed to assemble a task force and ultimately modify the CDC’s guidance to advocate against fluoride.
A large review paper published in January 2025 hinted at a connection between fluoride and a decrease in children's IQ, but it only suggested a possible link—not a proved cause and effect. Moreover, much of the underlying data was from countries where fluoride exposure is much higher compared to US drinking water levels.
Health professionals have expressed concerns about excessive fluoride rates and potential toxicity. Despite this, many doctors and dental associations argue that fluoride in water remains an indispensable, low-risk, and high-reward public health instrument, especially for disadvantaged children and adults who may not be able to practice regular dental hygiene.
[1] - "Florida governor signs bill to ban local fluoridation of drinking water" - https://www.npr.org/2025/05/18/1145838502/florida-governor-signs-bill-to-ban-local-fluoridation-of-drinking-water[2] - "Ocala poised to stop adding fluoride to drinking water" - https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-ocalabans-fluoride-20250518-xqebfa76orkfujnhc7yalt5jui-story.html[3] - "Daytona Beach Removes Fluoride from Water, Following State Mandate" - https://www.daytonabeachnews-journal.com/news/local_news/daytona-beach-removes-fluoride-from-water-following-state-mandate/article_e4cb75ac-8891-11ed-b04f-897e37ad0507.html
- Following the signing of the bill by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Ocala City Council plans to vote on Tuesday to alter their ordinance, setting the city on a path to remove fluoride from its water supply by July 1, 2025, as per the state law's requirement.
- In a clear indication of the impending transformation, Miami-Dade County commissioners voted to scuttle fluoride last month, while the city of Stuart declared it would strip fluoride from its water supply in November 2024.
- The debate around fluoride in drinking water is not new, with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. advocating for local governments to remove it from their water supplies in a November 2024 interview with NPR.
- While a large review paper published in January 2025 suggested a possible link between fluoride and a decrease in children's IQ, the underlying data was primarily from countries with higher fluoride exposure levels compared to US drinking water.
- Despite concerns about excessive fluoride rates and potential toxicity, many health professionals argue that fluoride in water remains an indispensable, low-risk, and high-reward public health instrument, especially for disadvantaged children and adults who may not be able to practice regular dental hygiene.
