Florida is now the second state to ban fluoride in public drinking water systems, after Governor Ron DeSantis signed a new law last week.
Part of the Florida Senate Bill 700 (SB 700), also known as the Florida Farm Bill, bans all public water systems in the state, including those in Indian River and Brevard counties, from adding fluoride—a mineral long used to prevent tooth decay—and takes effect on July 1, 2025.
Proponents of the ban argue it protects public health by removing a substance some consider risky. Critics, such as dental professionals, contend the decision could increase dental problems, particularly among children.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has long hailed water fluoridation as a major public health achievement, and the American Dental Association supports its use, citing research showing fluoridated water reduces tooth decay by up to 25% in treated communities.
However, many dentists have warned that the ban could reverse decades of progress in dental health, particularly in underserved areas with limited access to care. They believe the policy could lead to higher rates of dental issues, straining clinics and emergency rooms.
Opponents of the law see it as a way to give residents control over their water. Recent studies raise concerns over potential neurological risks from excessive fluoride exposure.
A 2024 federal court ruling in California, which directed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reassess fluoride’s safety, has bolstered the anti-fluoride movement.
Florida’s new law diverges from federal recommendations and poses challenges for local municipalities. Indian River County, which supplies drinking water to the City of Sebastian and the City of Vero Beach, and Brevard County, which serves Barefoot Bay, the City of Melbourne, and the City of Palm Bay, are assessing compliance while maintaining water quality.
The ban does not apply to private wells or bottled water, and fluoride is still available in dental products.
