The City of Lakeland, following a unanimous City Commission vote today, has decided to cease the addition of fluoride to its municipal water supply, a move that goes into effect immediately. The existing fluoride will cycle through the system, but the pumps that administer the chemical will be shut down, as reported by ABC Action News.
The decision comes on the heels of a visit by Florida’s Surgeon General, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, to nearby Winter Haven last November, during which he firmly labelled fluoridation as a form of "public health malpractice." Dr. Ladapo's controversial visit was to shortly advocate for municipalities to altogether discontinue the practice. This advocacy was apparently taken seriously by local Lakeland officials, stated in a piece by The Ledger.
In contrast, the Florida Dental Association maintains its position, defending fluoridation as a "safe and effective way to prevent tooth decay," according to coverage from WFLA. The association's stance aligns with many public health agencies, who have long cited the cavity-preventing benefits of fluoride.
Detractors of the practice, including Ladapo, argue that the studies reviewed by the National Toxicology Program, which supporters use to back the safety claims, examined fluoridation levels that were significantly higher than those regulated in the United States. The discussion raises questions surrounding health practices and the government's role in administrating preventative health measures, as outlined by The Ledger.
