Mayor Daniella Levine Cava reacts to Florida Legislature voting to ban fluoride in tap water statewide

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava has released the following statement in reaction to the Florida House of Representatives approving the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Package (SB 700) which bans fluoride from tap water in Florida. The Florida Senate previously approved SB 700. 

“I am deeply disappointed by the Florida Legislature’s decision to pursue a statewide ban on water fluoridation, a decision that disregards the overwhelming consensus of dentists, doctors, and medical experts and will end a practice that has been in place for decades to protect our health. 

“Fluoridation is a proven, safe, cost-effective way to prevent tooth decay and protect oral health for children and adults, particularly for families with limited access to dental care. No studies have shown that fluoridation at low levels is unsafe for our communities, including babies and pregnant women – in fact, it is vitally important for the health of developing teeth in infants and children. Ending fluoridation will have long-lasting health consequences, especially for our most vulnerable families. 

“A decision like this – which impacts the health and wellbeing of all Florida families – should be left to local communities to determine what is best for their residents. In Miami-Dade we know that our community trusts dentists, not politicians, on whether or not we should fluoridate, and that’s why I continue to believe that listening to medical experts is the best way to safeguard our health.”