Florida to become second state to ban fluoride in water, alarming experts

[groundloop]

Source: The Guardian

Florida is poised to become the second state to ban fluoride in public drinking water despite concerns of dentists and public health advocates who say the mineral is a safe, effective way to protect people of all ages from developing cavities.

Florida lawmakers approved the bill Tuesday after Utah became the first state to pass a ban last month. The Republican-led states are following a push led by the US health secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, who has railed against the mineral and set the gears of government in motion to stop community water fluoridation.

The Florida measure now goes to the desk of the Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, whose administration has advocated against community water fluoridation, arguing high levels could pose a risk to children’s intellectual development.

Fluoride strengthens teeth by replacing minerals lost during normal wear and tear, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The addition of low levels of fluoride to drinking water is considered among the greatest public health achievements of the last century.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/30/florida-fluoride-water-ban

[Initech]

1. Florida to become second state to make policy written by batshit crazy lunatic with worm in his brain.

[LastDemocratInSC]

2. At least Florida recognizes its lack of intellectual development.

[3catwoman3]

3. Rotten brains. Rotten teeth.

[GB_RN]

4. I Think...

That Florida’s elected officials must have eaten paint chips when they were kids. 🤦‍♂️

Next up: Bring back lead(ed gasoline)! Make America Leaded Again!

[DENVERPOPS]

5. Fascinating..........

My Dentist says they are seeing a Major uptick in cavities, esp in children these past years. The have concluded that it is because a lot of people are drinking bottled water, which contains no fluoride. He also says that the number of people involved in sports or working out that drink Gator-Aide type drinks is also causing serious problems. He said drinking Gatorade is fine, if you drink it at one time, and then brush your teeth immediately. But people/esp kids drink it over a period of many hours and then don't brush their teeth. He says the combination of SALTS and sugar is far more corrosive than just sugar....and the salt/sugar lingers in your mouth for hours eating away.....

[IbogaProject]

8. Wow

My kid is 16 now we always drink NYC tap water filtered. He has zero cavities so far. We did brush his teeth ourselves for his first 4 close to 5 years, I felt it wasn't reasonable to expect him to do it himself at that age.

[Blue Owl]

6. Florida -- the Brainworm State!

[xocetaceans]

7. Ron always seems willing to accentuate the "Duh" in DeSantis, and time will tell if he wishes to do that yet again.

What is the future of community water fluoridation?
A look at the national landscape

by Olivia Anderson
March 27, 2025


The topic of community water fluoridation has gained significant traction over the past few years — and not because of the long-held acknowledgement of its benefits.

Anti-fluoridation activists are continuing to claim the practice poses ethical and safety concerns, and many states are considering legislation that would ban adding fluoride to public water systems. Water fluoridation has been in practice for eight decades but it still continues to be debated, with most dental experts supporting it as a safe and effective way to prevent tooth decay.

According to a study from the ADA’s Health Policy Institute, the majority of dentists either “strongly support” or “somewhat support” community water fluoridation as a public health measure. Eighty-two percent of polled dentists expressed strong support, 10% said they “somewhat support” the practice, and only 5% said they “somewhat oppose” or “strongly oppose” the practice.

The ADA sent a letter March 5 to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, reiterating its staunch support for community water fluoridation. The letter emphasized that the ADA supports fluoridation at levels recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service, adding that “decades of rigorous, peer-reviewed scientific research have demonstrated that water fluoridation is a safe, effective and equitable method for preventing tooth decay across populations.”

...

https://adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2025/march/what-is-the-future-of-community-water-fluoridation/

On the ADA:

Powering the profession of dentistry

The ADA’s mission is to help dentists succeed and support the advancement of the health of the public. We are guided by our core values, which include integrity, excellence, and a dedication to bring you evidence-based insights that empower you to provide quality oral care for all patients.

We advocate for public health by focusing on crucial issues such as access to care, the rules and regulations that surround the practice of dentistry and much more.

The ADA is your source for the latest research on oral health, along with helpful practice guidelines, data on industry trends and a host of practical programs that support your personal health and success.

https://www.ada.org/about

RFK, Jr., and his alleged vermicular passenger might see that article on legislation and fluoridation as interference by "Big Tooth".

[Falcon101]

9. Not an issue before

No one talked about this before. Once RFK comes on, now it becomes a priority.

[IronLionZion]

10. Job creation for dentists

as people's teeth rot with cavities.

[DENVERPOPS]

11. Extending the reach/influence

of the Anti Vax crowd, and all the Trumphumpers that believed in the Covid cure/protection of spraying household disinfectant into their lungs, and shoving a star war's toy light saber up their wahoooooo.

[Joinfortmill]

12. NH which did not and still does not, in many communities, have fluoride in drinking water.

It certainly kept the dentists in business. Back to the 1950s should be the GOP motto.

[Wonder Why]

13. I understand that Ronda Santis is ordering the removal of hydrogen from water also. He, correctly,

states that it is a poisonous, explosive gas that can be used to create nuclear weapons and is therefore a danger to Florida residents.
Without the hydrogen, water will provide extra oxygen which is important to many elderly Floridians that depend on oxygen to live longer.

[yardwork]

14. Dental caries cause pain and disfigurement.

People with these dumb ideas should be forced to look at the mouths of children who didn't get fluoride treatments or dental care. Their teeth are broken and rotten. Their gums bleed. Their breath is foul. They are in constant pain, 24/7. They can't concentrate in school.

And they're usually poor. Very few dentists take Medicaid patients. The only hope these children have is fluoridated water.

Taking that away is criminal.

[Aristus]

15. To all the hicks out there who bristle at the 'toothless redneck' image, spare me, please.

This could have been avoided...

[Figarosmom]

16. Figures

Well most toothpaste has fluoride now days doesn't it?