Overview

• Florida joins Utah as the only states to ban fluoride in public water systems, with the new law taking effect on July 1, 2025.
• Governor Ron DeSantis framed the ban as a matter of personal choice and opposition to 'forced medication' in public health policy.
• The bill does not explicitly name fluoride but prohibits certain water additives, effectively ending fluoridation statewide.
• Public health experts, including the CDC and American Dental Association, warn the ban could lead to increased dental decay, particularly among vulnerable populations.
• The decision aligns with a broader conservative push, supported by figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to challenge long-standing public health measures.