Florida becomes second state to ban fluoride in drinking water

Florida has become the second state in the nation to ban the use of fluoride in public drinking water. Governor Ron DeSantis signed the new legislation into law on Thursday.

This comes less than two weeks after Miami-Dade County voted to end fluoride use.

The measure, part of the broader Florida Farm Bill, will take effect statewide on July 1. While the law does not explicitly name fluoride, it prohibits the use of certain additives in public water systems—a provision that effectively ends community water fluoridation in the state.

Speaking at a press conference in Dade City, DeSantis framed the decision as a matter of personal freedom and bodily autonomy.

“Yes, use fluoride for your teeth, that’s fine,” he said. “But forcing it into the water supply is basically forced medication on people. They don’t have a choice. You’re taking that away from them.”

With the signing of the bill, Florida follows Utah, which earlier this year became the first state to enact a ban on water fluoridation.

Currently, about 100 public water systems in Florida add fluoride to their drinking water, according to the state’s Department of Health. More than 70% of Floridians who rely on community water systems receive fluoridated water.

Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo has previously spoken out against the practice. In November, he issued guidance recommending against community water fluoridation, citing “potential health effects,” particularly for pregnant women and children.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in soil, rock, and water. For decades, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have endorsed fluoridation of public water supplies to help reduce tooth decay. In 2015, the CDC named community water fluoridation one of the “10 Greatest Public Health Achievements of the 21st Century.”

The American Dental Association (ADA) also continues to support the practice, noting that "eighty years of community water fluoridation at optimal levels has proven to be safe and effective at reducing tooth decay to improve oral health."

However, concerns over fluoride's safety have grown in recent years. Research cited by CNN has linked prenatal exposure to fluoridated water with increased neurobehavioral problems in children. A federal review also found associations between high levels of fluoride and lower IQ scores in kids.