Florida is on track to become the second state to ban fluoride in public water systems. A bill prohibiting community water fluoridation has passed the state Senate, with the House expected to follow. If signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida would join Utah, which enacted a similar ban effective May 7. This surge against fluoride has been mirrored in states like Kentucky, Massachusetts, and Nebraska, where similar legislation is advancing. In Wisconsin, nearly 80 communities have voted to stop fluoridation, while Union County, North Carolina, removed it last year.
The anti-fluoride movement, gaining traction over recent decades, has sparked heated debate amid concerns from health professionals. Critics, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have posited that fluoride poses risks without proven benefits, despite extensive evidence supporting its role in reducing tooth decay. Public health experts like Senator Tina Scott Polsky defend fluoride’s efficacy, with many dentists feeling increasingly pressured to remain silent on the issue.
Support for fluoridation has historically united organizations like the American Dental Association and the CDC, which cite studies showing a 25% reduction in cavities due to fluoride. However, the landscape is shifting, with some public health officials refraining from advocacy due to fears of backlash and funding cuts in a politically charged environment.
Recent bans, like in Seminole County, are framed as cost-saving measures but raise concerns about long-term public health repercussions, especially for underserved communities. Critics warn that removing fluoride could lead to a rise in dental decay similar to Calgary’s experience after its fluoride ban. As public health groups remain conflicted, the future of fluoride remains uncertain amid growing political and ideological divides.
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