The public water systems in Florida are going fluoride free. 

Lawmakers voted to ban the naturally occurring mineral from being added to public drinking water. Gov. Ron DeSantis, at a May 15 bill signing ceremony, called the practice of water fluoridation, “forced medication on people.”

Representative Fabián Basabe voted in favor of the bill, citing transparency concerns. Basabe, a two-term Republican who represents Miami Beach, said the measure stops an automatic practice of adding synthetic compounds to public drinking water. 

The procedure, Basabe said, often occurs with little to no oversight or clear information about sourcing and procurement.

“Most parts of Florida already have naturally occurring fluoride in the water supply,” Basabe said. “Yet additional industrial compounds like fluorosilicic acid have been added for decades through contracts that the public never agreed to and that rarely get reviewed. That’s not public health, that’s business behind closed doors.” 

State Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith took an opposing view. The Orlando Democrat voted against the bill, which passed the upper chamber by a 27 to 9 vote. 

“Optimal level water fluoridation has been recognized as one of the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century,” Smith posted on X. “We are going backwards.” 

Dentists have argued fluoride helps to prevent tooth decay. In years past, the CDC reported fluoride repairs and prevents damage to teeth and their protective enamel coating when administered at consistent and low levels. 

Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo favored ending water fluoridation, citing its “neuropsychiatric risk” to children and pregnant mothers. 

“Clean water should come with clean choices,” said Basabe. “Floridians deserve to know what’s in their water, why it’s there and who’s getting paid to put it there. That’s what I voted for, and I stand by that.” 

Florida joins Utah as the only two states that prohibit adding fluoride to public drinking water. The law takes effect July 1.