Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo has issued new guidelines urging cities and counties across the state to discontinue adding fluoride to public drinking water. Speaking at a news conference in Winter Haven—where officials recently decided to end water fluoridation by year’s end—Dr. Ladapo described the practice as “public health malpractice” based on current research.

Citing studies that suggest excessive fluoride exposure may lower IQ levels and contribute to mental health issues in children, Dr. Ladapo voiced strong concerns about the continued use of fluoride in water supplies. He also highlighted potential risks beyond cognitive health, including links to dental and bone diseases.

A Divisive Debate

The debate over fluoridation has long been contentious. Supporters tout it as one of the most effective public health measures of the 20th century, significantly reducing tooth decay in communities. Critics, however, question the safety of fluoride ingestion, arguing that the risks may outweigh the benefits.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently reviewing fluoride’s safety, though it may take up to three years for conclusive findings. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to endorse fluoridation as a safe and effective tool for oral health.

Shifting Perspectives

Dr. Ladapo’s position aligns with that of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent critic of fluoridation and advocate for its removal from drinking water nationwide. Kennedy, who has been nominated as the next U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, has similarly called for a reassessment of fluoridation policies.

Fluoridation’s roots in the U.S. date back decades, with researchers identifying drinking water as a primary source of fluoride exposure for Americans. To address concerns about dental fluorosis—a condition causing discoloration or splotching of teeth—the federal government lowered recommended fluoride levels in 2015.

The CDC advises parents to exercise caution with fluoride products for children, recommending no fluoride toothpaste for those under age 2 unless advised by a dentist, and limiting use to a pea-sized amount for kids aged 2 to 6. Fluoride mouthwashes are also discouraged for young children.

As Florida’s surgeon general takes a strong stance against fluoridation, the broader conversation around its safety and efficacy is reigniting nationwide, underscoring the need for further scientific review and public health dialogue.

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(Image credit: WPTV)