Florida Governor Desantis Signs Bill to Ban Fluoride in Water

DADE CITY, Florida – Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 700 banning fluoride in drinking water, making Florida the second state in the U.S. to enact such a ban, following Utah’s lead earlier this year.

DeSantis, who, along with state Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, has long expressed support for ending water fluoridation.

“Informed consent—not forced medication—is the Florida way,” DeSantis posted on X.

The bill, known as the “Florida Farm Bill” (SB 700), cleared the Republican-controlled House with an 88-27 vote after passing the Senate on April 16 with a 27-9 vote.

The ban will now take effect on July 1, 2025.

New Studies Suggest Harmful Effects Of Adding Fluoride To Drinking Water

Fluoridation began in the United States in 1945, with Grand Rapids, Michigan, becoming the first city to add fluoride to its drinking water to reduce tooth decay. The practice gained widespread adoption after studies showed significant declines in cavities, particularly among children.

By the 1950s and 1960s, the U.S. Public Health Service and organizations like the American Dental Association (ADA) endorsed water fluoridation as a safe, cost-effective way to improve dental health, especially in communities with limited access to dental care.

Today, about 75% of Americans on public water systems receive fluoridated water, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which lists it among the top public health achievements of the 20th century.

However, recent studies, such as a 2019 JAMA Pediatrics paper and a 2024 National Toxicology Program report, have suggested a possible link between higher fluoride exposure—often above U.S. recommended levels—and lower IQ in children.

Other concerns include dental fluorosis (tooth enamel discoloration from excess fluoride), skeletal fluorosis (a rare bone condition tied to very high intake), and claims of neurotoxicity or endocrine disruption. Opponents also argue that fluoride’s benefits are overstated in an era where toothpaste and other dental products provide topical fluoride, rendering water fluoridation unnecessary or outdated.