Overview

• Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 700 into law, effectively banning the addition of fluoride to public water systems in Florida starting July 1, 2025.
• The legislation does not explicitly name fluoride but prohibits certain water additives, aligning with broader Republican-led efforts against perceived government overreach.
• Public health advocates, including the CDC and American Dental Association, warn the ban could lead to increased tooth decay, particularly in vulnerable populations like low-income children.
• DeSantis and Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo argue that fluoridation constitutes 'forced medication' and cite inconclusive studies on potential health risks, including cognitive effects.
• Local governments, such as Miami-Dade County, had already moved to remove fluoride from water supplies, reflecting a growing anti-fluoridation trend across the U.S.