Florida Cities Split on Fluoride in Water as Delray Beach Votes to Keep It

Delray Beach commissioners narrowly chose to maintain fluoridation, diverging from other Florida municipalities that have started removing it following state guidance.

• Delray Beach city commissioners voted 3-2 to continue adding fluoride to the city’s water supply, citing public health benefits, particularly for underserved communities.
• The decision follows Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo's recommendation to end water fluoridation statewide, citing concerns about potential neurodevelopmental risks for children and pregnant women.
• Other Florida municipalities, including Lee County, Naples, and Winter Haven, have recently voted to remove fluoride from public water supplies, aligning with Ladapo’s guidance.
• Health organizations such as the CDC, American Dental Association, and American Academy of Pediatrics maintain that water fluoridation is safe and effective in reducing tooth decay.
• The debate reflects broader skepticism toward public health policies, with critics emphasizing individual choice and potential risks and proponents defending fluoridation as a critical public health achievement.

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