Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

groundloop

(12,821 posts)
Wed Apr 30, 2025, 12:55 PM Wednesday

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

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

16 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Florida to become second state to ban fluoride in water, alarming experts (Original Post) groundloop Wednesday OP
Florida to become second state to make policy written by batshit crazy lunatic with worm in his brain. Initech Wednesday #1
At least Florida recognizes its lack of intellectual development. LastDemocratInSC Wednesday #2
Rotten brains. Rotten teeth. 3catwoman3 Wednesday #3
I Think... GB_RN Wednesday #4
Fascinating.......... DENVERPOPS Wednesday #5
Wow IbogaProject Wednesday #8
Florida -- the Brainworm State! Blue Owl Wednesday #6
Ron always seems willing to accentuate the "Duh" in DeSantis, and time will tell if he wishes to do that yet again. xocetaceans Wednesday #7
Not an issue before Falcon101 Wednesday #9
Job creation for dentists IronLionZion Wednesday #10
Extending the reach/influence DENVERPOPS Wednesday #11
NH which did not and still does not, in many communities, have fluoride in drinking water. Joinfortmill Wednesday #12
I understand that Ronda Santis is ordering the removal of hydrogen from water also. He, correctly, Wonder Why Wednesday #13
Dental caries cause pain and disfigurement. yardwork Wednesday #14
To all the hicks out there who bristle at the 'toothless redneck' image, spare me, please. Aristus Wednesday #15
Figures Figarosmom Wednesday #16

Initech

(104,624 posts)
1. Florida to become second state to make policy written by batshit crazy lunatic with worm in his brain.
Wed Apr 30, 2025, 01:04 PM
Wednesday

GB_RN

(3,335 posts)
4. I Think...
Wed Apr 30, 2025, 01:10 PM
Wednesday

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

(11,966 posts)
5. Fascinating..........
Wed Apr 30, 2025, 01:12 PM
Wednesday

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

(4,333 posts)
8. Wow
Wed Apr 30, 2025, 01:59 PM
Wednesday

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.

xocetaceans

(4,160 posts)
7. Ron always seems willing to accentuate the "Duh" in DeSantis, and time will tell if he wishes to do that yet again.
Wed Apr 30, 2025, 01:29 PM
Wednesday
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

(52 posts)
9. Not an issue before
Wed Apr 30, 2025, 02:03 PM
Wednesday

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

DENVERPOPS

(11,966 posts)
11. Extending the reach/influence
Wed Apr 30, 2025, 02:32 PM
Wednesday

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

(17,911 posts)
12. NH which did not and still does not, in many communities, have fluoride in drinking water.
Wed Apr 30, 2025, 02:57 PM
Wednesday

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

Wonder Why

(5,590 posts)
13. I understand that Ronda Santis is ordering the removal of hydrogen from water also. He, correctly,
Wed Apr 30, 2025, 04:42 PM
Wednesday

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

(66,438 posts)
14. Dental caries cause pain and disfigurement.
Wed Apr 30, 2025, 05:16 PM
Wednesday

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

(69,812 posts)
15. To all the hicks out there who bristle at the 'toothless redneck' image, spare me, please.
Wed Apr 30, 2025, 05:41 PM
Wednesday

This could have been avoided...

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Florida to become second ...