Lee County commissioners voted unanimously on Tuesday 4 to become the 40th Florida county to stop adding fluoride to drinking water. Spearheaded by Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass, the move flies against the advice of the American Dental Association and the American Medical Assocation.

Cities such as Melbourne, Port St. Lucie, Stuart, and Tavares have dropped fluoride over the past few months, taking their guidance from a directive issued by Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo in November. Ladapo recommended against community water fluoridation “due to the neuropsychiatric risk associated with fluoride exposure.”

Clearwater is now on the growing list of Florida municipalities that are discussing a ban on fluoride in drinking water. City Council member Ryan Cotton introduced the topic on Monday during a workshop — making Clearwater yet another local government joining the national conversation on fluoride that Robert F.

Fluoride is a mineral long proven to strengthen teeth and prevent cavities when added to water in small amounts. Local utilities across the country have been putting fluoride in water since 1945 to help fight tooth decay. The CDC considers the practice one of the great public health achievements of the 20th century.

Some people in Wisconsin Rapids fear fluoride in the water could be linked to health risks. City leaders discussed a potential ban at a meeting Tuesday night at City Hall. In the meeting, the Legislative Committee voted to remove fluoride from the city’s water.