Florida,Oklahoma End State Fluoride Water Programs as Calgary Adds Fluoride

Several U.S. states have recently moved to ban or halt the addition of fluoride to public drinking water amid concerns about health risks and public consent. Florida, with Governor Ron DeSantis' support, enacted Senate Bill 700, prohibiting fluoride in public water, making it the second state after Utah to do so, with local dentists advising fluoride toothpaste or rinses as alternatives. Similarly, Gainesville Regional Utilities in Florida stopped adding fluoride following the new law, although natural fluoride remains in the water supply. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt ordered a halt to state promotion of water fluoridation and a full review of the practice, citing emerging research linking fluoride to neurodevelopmental risks in children; this move was supported by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and marks a shift away from longstanding endorsements by health agencies. In contrast, Calgary, Canada, has resumed adding fluoride to its water supply after a plebiscite favored its return, emphasizing fluoride's safety and dental health benefits despite the costs involved. These developments highlight a growing divide over water fluoridation policies amid evolving scientific findings and public opinion.