Lakeland, FL – March 03, 2025 – On Monday, the Lakeland City Commission voted unanimously to suspend water fluoridation, halting a practice that began in 1981 when the commission approved adding fluoride to the city’s drinking water at 0.7 milligrams per liter to combat tooth decay. Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo praised the decision, having labeled fluoridation “public health malpractice” in December 2024, citing studies linking high fluoride exposure to potential neuropsychiatric risks, such as lower IQ in children. The move aligns with a growing trend, as cities like Winter Haven and Naples have also recently phased out fluoridation.
However, the Florida Dental Association (FDA) strongly opposed the decision, defending fluoridation as a safe, cost-effective measure that reduces cavities by at least 25% in children and adults, per CDC data. The FDA warned that its removal could disproportionately harm children’s oral health, especially in low-income communities with limited access to dental care—65 of Florida’s 67 counties face dental provider shortages. Studies, like one in Antigo, Wisconsin, show cavity rates surged up to 200% in children after fluoridation ceased. The decision reflects a broader clash between long-standing public health traditions and emerging skepticism fueled by recent research debates.
