Photo: Olga Rolenko / Moment / Getty Images
Miami-Dade, FL - Florida is on the verge of eliminating fluoride from public drinking water, a move that has ignited fierce debate between public health advocates and state lawmakers.
The Florida Legislature recently passed a bill that prohibits cities and counties from adding fluoride or other substances to water supplies for health-related purposes.
Governor Ron DeSantis has publicly expressed support for the measure and is expected to sign it into law, with enforcement beginning July 1st.
The decision comes as Miami-Dade County's Commission voted to stop adding fluoride to its drinking water, ending a practice in place since 1958.
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who vetoed the measure in April, voiced strong opposition, stating the change goes against decades of medical guidance.
Her veto was ultimately overridden by the commission on May 6th.
Mayor Levine Cava said she consulted doctors, dentists, and public health professionals who continue to support fluoride’s benefits in preventing tooth decay.
"I am deeply disappointed by this decision," she said, adding it disregards “the overwhelming consensus of medical experts” and could negatively impact underserved communities.
Supporters of the fluoride ban, including Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, claim fluoride may pose developmental risks to children and fetuses, though this remains a contested view.
Major organizations like the American Dental Association and the CDC continue to endorse fluoridation as safe and effective.
As the state prepares for the ban’s implementation, concerns grow about the potential public health consequences, especially for low-income residents with limited access to dental care.