Florida’s Surgeon General, Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo, has called for a halt to the addition of fluoride in the state’s drinking water. His recommendation highlights concerns over the potential risks fluoride poses to brain development, especially in pregnant women and children. Ladapo’s announcement comes amid growing skepticism surrounding the practice, with some recent studies suggesting possible neuropsychiatric risks linked to fluoride exposure. While public health authorities have long supported water fluoridation as an effective means to prevent cavities, the debate is gaining traction in Florida, with several cities already moving to remove fluoride from their water supply.
The state of Florida has recently become a battleground in the ongoing debate over the safety and efficacy of water fluoridation. On Friday, Florida’s Surgeon General, Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo, called for an end to the practice of adding fluoride to drinking water, citing concerns over potential neuropsychiatric risks. According to Ladapo, studies suggest that fluoride exposure may pose a particular danger to the developing brains of children and pregnant women. He also pointed out that alternatives like fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash are available to meet dental health needs.
Ladapo’s statement has sparked significant debate.
“It is clear more research is necessary to address safety and efficacy concerns regarding community water fluoridation,” he said. “The previously considered benefit of community water fluoridation does not outweigh the current known risks, especially for special populations like pregnant women and children.”
The announcement follows growing concerns about the potential effects of fluoride exposure. In recent years, anti-fluoride activists have argued that fluoride could lead to serious health issues, including a possible decline in IQ in children. These claims have gained traction among certain communities, and in Florida, several cities have already voted to remove fluoride from their water systems. Winter Haven, a city in Central Florida, voted to stop fluoridating its water earlier this month, while Naples is also moving toward halting the practice after a preliminary vote.
Ladapo’s stance aligns with the views of public figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been vocal about his opposition to fluoride in drinking water. Kennedy, a prominent environmental activist, has indicated that the Trump administration plans to issue a nationwide recommendation to stop fluoridation next year. While some public health experts have strongly criticized these calls, others argue that the health risks associated with fluoride, particularly its neurodevelopmental impacts, must be taken more seriously.
However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health organizations continue to defend water fluoridation. For decades, the CDC has touted it as one of the most significant public health achievements of the 20th century, citing research showing that fluoride reduces cavities by about 25% in both children and adults. Today, more than 200 million Americans receive fluoridated water, a practice widely supported by the dental community.
Jeff Ottley, president of the Florida Dental Association, responded to Ladapo’s recommendation, emphasizing the long-standing benefits of fluoride in preventing tooth decay. “Decades of sound scientific research prove the safety and effectiveness of fluoridation and underscores the importance of continuing community water fluoridation for the well-being of Florida residents,” Ottley said.
Despite this, the anti-fluoride movement has gained momentum in recent years. Critics argue that the practice no longer serves its original purpose, particularly given the widespread availability of fluoride in toothpaste and mouthwash. Some studies have even raised doubts about the benefits of water fluoridation. A review conducted by the Cochrane Library, a respected research organization, found that the benefits of fluoridated water in reducing cavities have diminished as the use of fluoride toothpaste has become more common.
One of the most alarming concerns raised by anti-fluoride activists is the potential for fluoride to affect brain development. The U.S. National Toxicology Program has indicated that there may be an association between high levels of fluoride exposure and lower IQ in children, although it cautioned that the data available does not conclusively support this claim. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been urged to further regulate fluoride in drinking water, following a September court ruling that suggested the chemical might pose a risk to children’s developing brains.
Despite these concerns, many health professionals maintain that the fluoride levels used in U.S. drinking water are safe and effective. Proponents argue that the studies pointing to potential risks often involve fluoride levels far higher than those used in public water systems. They stress that fluoride continues to play an essential role in improving dental health, particularly in low-income and underserved communities where access to dental care may be limited.
As the debate over fluoridation continues to unfold in Florida and across the nation, it is clear that more research and discussion are needed. The issue has divided public opinion, with some citizens and health experts supporting the ongoing use of fluoride, while others call for a reevaluation of its safety. For now, cities in Florida are taking matters into their own hands, with several already moving to remove fluoride from their water supply.
In the coming months, the discussion about fluoridation is likely to grow even more heated. “The more people know about fluoridation, the more they are opposed to it,” said Rick North, a board member of the Fluoride Action Network. “Fluoridation is a house of cards, and it is going to fall.”
As research into the potential risks and benefits of fluoride continues, it remains to be seen whether Florida’s Surgeon General’s call will gain wider support, or whether the state will continue to follow the CDC’s recommendations. The conversation around fluoride, once considered a settled issue, is now being revisited with growing urgency and skepticism.
