DeSantis Anticipates Federal Health Regulators Will Emulate Florida's Move to Prohibit Fluoride in Drinking Water
In a statement highlighting concerns over water supply management, DeSantis emphasized the importance of choice, stating, “When you’re forcing it into the water supply, that’s not really giving people the choice.”
TroibNews 
TALLAHASSEE, Florida — On Tuesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis commended Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo for advocating the removal of fluoride from local drinking water, expressing his anticipation that HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will align with this stance soon.
Ladapo had previously issued a recommendation in November, advising municipalities, counties, and public utility boards to reconsider the use of fluoride in drinking water. This guidance has lent support to the initiatives of the libertarian advocacy group Stand for Health Freedom, which has campaigned against fluoride for two years and has convinced over a dozen localities to cease its use.
This campaign emerged alongside the rise of the Medical Freedom movement as DeSantis and Ladapo challenged Covid-19 restrictions imposed by the Biden administration.
Fluoride has been added to public water supplies since the 1940s, originally intended to reduce tooth cavities in children. However, recent studies prompted Ladapo late last year to reconsider fluoride's impact, suggesting it may lead to lower IQ scores and behavioral issues in children.
DeSantis, who grew up in Dunedin—where fluoride was first added to drinking water in 1992—advanced to Yale and Harvard Law School. Reflecting on his sports days, he noted he likely consumed more Gatorade than water, but mentioned substantial research indicating fluoride could adversely affect children's development. He believes residents should have the autonomy to choose whether or not to consume fluoride and predicts that Kennedy may soon adopt Florida's approach.
“When you’re forcing it into the water supply, that’s not really giving people the choice,” DeSantis remarked. “I think you’re going to see HHS lean in the direction under Bobby Kennedy, and I think to me that’s the way to go.”
During his campaign last year, President Donald Trump offered to appoint Kennedy as his HHS secretary after Kennedy suspended his own presidential bid. Following that, Kennedy shared a message on social media expressing his belief that Trump would advocate for the removal of fluoride from drinking water.
The Florida Legislature is set to address a fluoride ban as it considers a bill from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services during its current 60-day session, which began Tuesday. Proposed language in HB 651 and SB 700 would allow for additives designed to improve water quality while banning those intended for health benefits, like fluoride.
This legislation would strip localities of control, some of which have already opted against the campaigns led by Stand for Health Freedom and Ladapo. Notably, Hillsborough County and Delray Beach recently voted to continue adding fluoride.
House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell, who represents part of Hillsborough County, expressed her support for the local leaders' decision to maintain fluoride use. She also voiced concerns over the proposed statewide ban, arguing that the state has already overstepped its authority.
“We’re seeing more preemption bills from this Legislature, always trying to insert their nose in local governments and local communities,” Driskell stated. “Frankly, we don’t need that.”
DeSantis pointed out that many individuals already obtain sufficient fluoride from toothpaste, which he contends makes the water additive unnecessary. Conversely, dental experts, including Florida Dental Association President Jeff Ottley, argue that fluoride in drinking water is crucial for developing stronger teeth, emphasizing that toothpaste alone only strengthens tooth surfaces.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
Ladapo had previously issued a recommendation in November, advising municipalities, counties, and public utility boards to reconsider the use of fluoride in drinking water. This guidance has lent support to the initiatives of the libertarian advocacy group Stand for Health Freedom, which has campaigned against fluoride for two years and has convinced over a dozen localities to cease its use.
This campaign emerged alongside the rise of the Medical Freedom movement as DeSantis and Ladapo challenged Covid-19 restrictions imposed by the Biden administration.
Fluoride has been added to public water supplies since the 1940s, originally intended to reduce tooth cavities in children. However, recent studies prompted Ladapo late last year to reconsider fluoride's impact, suggesting it may lead to lower IQ scores and behavioral issues in children.
DeSantis, who grew up in Dunedin—where fluoride was first added to drinking water in 1992—advanced to Yale and Harvard Law School. Reflecting on his sports days, he noted he likely consumed more Gatorade than water, but mentioned substantial research indicating fluoride could adversely affect children's development. He believes residents should have the autonomy to choose whether or not to consume fluoride and predicts that Kennedy may soon adopt Florida's approach.
“When you’re forcing it into the water supply, that’s not really giving people the choice,” DeSantis remarked. “I think you’re going to see HHS lean in the direction under Bobby Kennedy, and I think to me that’s the way to go.”
During his campaign last year, President Donald Trump offered to appoint Kennedy as his HHS secretary after Kennedy suspended his own presidential bid. Following that, Kennedy shared a message on social media expressing his belief that Trump would advocate for the removal of fluoride from drinking water.
The Florida Legislature is set to address a fluoride ban as it considers a bill from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services during its current 60-day session, which began Tuesday. Proposed language in HB 651 and SB 700 would allow for additives designed to improve water quality while banning those intended for health benefits, like fluoride.
This legislation would strip localities of control, some of which have already opted against the campaigns led by Stand for Health Freedom and Ladapo. Notably, Hillsborough County and Delray Beach recently voted to continue adding fluoride.
House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell, who represents part of Hillsborough County, expressed her support for the local leaders' decision to maintain fluoride use. She also voiced concerns over the proposed statewide ban, arguing that the state has already overstepped its authority.
“We’re seeing more preemption bills from this Legislature, always trying to insert their nose in local governments and local communities,” Driskell stated. “Frankly, we don’t need that.”
DeSantis pointed out that many individuals already obtain sufficient fluoride from toothpaste, which he contends makes the water additive unnecessary. Conversely, dental experts, including Florida Dental Association President Jeff Ottley, argue that fluoride in drinking water is crucial for developing stronger teeth, emphasizing that toothpaste alone only strengthens tooth surfaces.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
