On November 22, 2024, Florida State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo issued new guidance advising against community water fluoridation due to concerns about neuropsychiatric risks associated with fluoride exposure.
Fluoride, a naturally occurring chemical compound found in water, soil, and various foods, has long been used in community water systems to help prevent tooth decay. However, in his statement, Dr. Ladapo cited emerging evidence suggesting potential harmful effects of fluoride, particularly on the cognitive health of children and pregnant women.
The new recommendation highlights several safety concerns related to systemic fluoride exposure, including:
- Reduced IQ, cognitive impairment, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.
- Increased neurobehavioral problems in children whose mothers ingested fluoride during pregnancy.
- Disturbances in sleep cycles due to fluoride accumulation in the pineal gland.
- Increased risk of skeletal fluorosis, which could lead to bone fractures.
- Potential risks for early onset of menstruation in adolescent girls.
- Possible suppression of thyroid function due to inhibited iodine absorption.
Given the wide availability of fluoride from non-systemic sources like toothpaste, mouthwashes, and dental treatments, Dr. Ladapo asserts that the potential risks of fluoride exposure outweigh its previously acknowledged benefits. He emphasized that more research is necessary to fully understand the long-term effects of fluoride on public health, especially for vulnerable populations.
Historically, water fluoridation was seen as an effective, systemic way to deliver fluoride to all members of a community. However, many municipalities in the U.S. and several European countries, including Austria, Belgium, and Sweden, have already discontinued the practice.
Dr. Ladapo’s guidance follows an extensive review of fluoride’s impact on health and aligns with the state’s efforts to promote oral health through alternative methods. These include the operation and expansion of school-based preventive dental services, county health department clinics, and oral health education campaigns focused on reducing sugar consumption.
As of 2023, over 70% of Floridians on community water systems were receiving fluoridated water. Residents can check whether their water system is fluoridated by visiting the Florida Department of Health’s Public Water Systems Actively Fluoridating webpage.
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