Ocala, Florida, officially started the process of removing fluoride from its public water supply on Tuesday in response to a new state law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The move comes after the Florida legislature passed a bill banning local governments from adding fluoride to public water systems.
Currently, Ocala has an ordinance requiring fluoride in the water, which has been in place since 1961. The city spent about $50,000 annually on fluoride until the law change. Gregory Davis, public information officer for Ocala, said the city council will vote on an ordinance amendment on Tuesday. Although it is unclear how long the process will take, Davis confirmed that Ocala’s water resource team aims to comply with the state law by July 1, when the law takes effect.
The new law follows similar actions taken by local communities in Florida. Last month, Miami-Dade County voted 8-2 to ban fluoride, and the city of Stuart removed fluoride from its water supply in November 2024 after state Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo recommended against fluoridation.
Fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral in water, lakes, rivers, and some foods, is often added to dental products like toothpaste to prevent cavities. Studies show fluoride strengthens tooth enamel, repairs damage, and helps rebuild weakened enamel. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has endorsed fluoride’s role in cavity prevention for decades.
However, some prominent figures, including Dr. Ladapo and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have raised concerns about fluoride’s benefits. In a November 2024 interview, Kennedy vowed to convince local governments to remove fluoride from their water supplies. He has also called for a change in CDC guidance on the issue.
A recent study published in January 2025 suggested a potential link between fluoride and lower IQ in children, though the findings were not definitive and drew from countries with much higher fluoride levels than in U.S. drinking water. Critics have also raised concerns about excessive fluoride intake and its potential toxicity.
Despite this, many health professionals, including dental associations, maintain that fluoride remains a valuable, low-risk tool for public health, particularly for children and adults in disadvantaged communities who may lack access to regular dental care.
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