The Miami-Dade County Commission voted 8-2 on Tuesday night to discontinue the addition of fluoride to Florida’s most populous county’s public water supply. The decision came after Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo addressed the commissioners, expressing his opinion about potential health risks associated with water fluoridation.
Commissioner Roberto Gonzalez sponsored the resolution, citing historical shifts in public health practices and emerging studies questioning the safety of fluoride in drinking water. He noted that while water fluoridation began in 1945 and was adopted in Miami-Dade in 1958, some contemporary research has raised concerns about its potential impact on children’s neurodevelopment and cognition—though these studies are not widely accepted by mainstream experts and remain a topic of contention within the scientific community.
For his part, Dr. Ladapo emphasized that continuing to add fluoride to drinking water requires one of two positions: either confidence that the studies raising concerns about potential harm are flawed or inaccurate, or a willingness to accept the risks those studies suggest may exist. He stated, “If you as the leaders of this community make the decision to continue adding fluoride to water here, you have to believe one of two things: You either have to believe that all of those studies are wrong, or you have to believe that you are comfortable potentially harming some people in your community.”
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava expressed reservations about the commission’s decision, highlighting that Miami-Dade County has been adding fluoride to the water for 60 years, with scientific and medical verification of its safety and dental health benefits. She noted, “We use a very, very low level, well within the guidelines.” (RELATED: The Rumor Mill Is Spinning: Is DeSantis Ready To Make History?)
The decision to remove fluoride from the public drinking water of approximately 2.7 million residents in Miami-Dade County—representing roughly 12% of Florida’s population—will not take effect immediately. The measure is subject to a 30-day delay, and Cava now has 10 days to decide whether to veto the commission’s ruling.
Should she decide to do so, the commission could override her veto with a two-thirds majority vote.
Additionally, the resolution mandates the creation of a countywide public service campaign focused on dental hygiene and alternative sources of fluoride available in dental health products. The commission has allocated $150,000 for this initiative and is exploring potential federal or state grants to support the campaign.
Fluoridation of water is generally considered safe at recommended levels and effective for preventing tooth decay. However, emerging research, ethical concerns and increased access to other fluoride sources have led many countries—especially in Western Europe—to question the necessity of mass fluoridation.
Europeans generally prefer fluoride toothpaste and dental treatments, which are directly applied to the teeth rather than ingested.
In many European countries, there is greater skepticism about mass public health interventions without opt-in consent and concerns about the long-term environmental impact of fluoride chemicals entering water systems. (RELATED: Dem Quietly Pursuing Invasive Mental Health Evaluations For Patriots)
Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands have banned or discontinued the practice. In the United States, ~73% of the population on public water systems receives fluoridated water.
Fluoride helps remineralize tooth enamel and prevents cavities, especially in children. According to the American Dental Association, every $1 spent on water fluoridation is estimated to save $38 in dental treatment costs. Supporters, including a large majority of experts, further cite research that the practice ensures all socioeconomic groups have access to cavity prevention, not just those who can afford dental care.
While overexposure to fluoride, especially in children, can lead to dental fluorosis, which causes white spots or streaks on teeth, this is usually mild and cosmetic. More severe cases can occur with higher fluoride exposure. High fluoride intake over long periods can potentially lead to bone weakening and joint pain.
Some recent studies (including a 2019 Canadian study in JAMA Pediatrics) have suggested possible links between high fluoride exposure during pregnancy and lower IQ scores in children. However, these studies are not universally accepted and are still under debate.
Tuesday’s vote aligns Miami-Dade with other Florida municipalities that have recently decided to remove fluoride from their water supplies, reflecting a broader trend influenced by state-level recommendations and ongoing debates about the practice’s safety and efficacy.
READ NEXT: Congress Frozen! Meet The Key Republicans Sabotaging Legislation Right Now!
