Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo has issued new guidance advising against community water fluoridation, citing neuropsychiatric risks associated with fluoride exposure.
The guidance highlights concerns about fluoride’s potential effects on cognitive development, particularly in children and pregnant women, and emphasises the availability of safer alternatives for promoting dental health.
While fluoride has historically been added to drinking water to prevent tooth decay, Dr. Ladapo pointed to emerging evidence of adverse effects, including reduced IQ, cognitive impairments, and attention-related disorders in children exposed to fluoride in utero.
Additional risks include fluoride accumulation in the pineal gland, which can disturb sleep cycles, skeletal fluorosis leading to bone fractures, and possible thyroid suppression.
Ladapo said that with widespread access to fluoride through toothpaste, mouthwashes, and professional dental applications, the risks of systemic fluoride exposure outweigh the benefits of water fluoridation.
“More research is necessary to address safety and efficacy concerns regarding community water fluoridation,” Ladapo stated.
“The previously considered benefit of community water fluoridation does not outweigh the current known risks, especially for special populations like pregnant women and children.”
The guidance aligns Florida with several European countries that have already eliminated water fluoridation practices.
Image credit: Jos Speetjens
