ADA objects to Florida surgeon general’s stance on water fluoridation

Comments are ‘misinformed and dangerous,’ Association says

The American Dental Association expressed opposition to comments made by Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, M.D., about community water fluoridation, according to a Nov. 23 news release.

Dr. Ladapo announced guidance recommending against community water fluoridation due to the “neuropsychiatric risk associated with fluoride exposure,” but the ADA called these comments “misinformed and dangerous.”

“The ADA believes in the use of proven, evidence-based science when making public policy decisions. For Dr. Ladapo to call community water fluoridation ‘medical malpractice’ and call on all municipalities to end its practice is a dangerous statement that stands to harm the oral and overall health of all Floridians,” said ADA President Brett Kessler, D.D.S.

The ADA noted in the release that more than 5 million Floridians live in dental professional shortage areas — one of the highest in the country with 65 out of 67 counties designated as having insufficient dental providers. Fluoride, which is naturally occurring in water sources like rivers and lakes, helps to rebuild weakened tooth enamel through the process of remineralization.

The current recommended amount of fluoride in water is 0.7 parts per million, the release stated, which is comparable to about 1 inch in 23 miles or one minute in 1,000 days. Some recent studies have shown that sustained exposure to high levels of fluoride above 1.5 parts per million could negatively impact health. The ADA emphasized that the amounts in those studies are more than twice the 0.7 parts per million recommended optimal level for community water fluoridation.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, water fluoridation helps reduce tooth decay by 25%. The CDC has also proclaimed community water fluoridation as one of the top ten great public health achievements of the 20th century. As of 2022, 72.3% of the U.S. population on community water systems received fluoridated water.

“In a time during widespread misinformation and biased interpretation of research, the ADA remains committed to optimally fluoridating water at levels that are proven to be safe for the public,” Dr. Kessler said.

For more information on community water fluoridation, visit ADA.org/fluoride.