Miami-Dade mayor vetoes county decision to strip fluoride from drinking water

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine-Cava disclosed on Friday that she would veto county bill that would strip fluoride from drinking water During the mayor s press conference on Friday multiple argued the amount of mineral in the water is not harmful but rather helpful to residents dental wellbeing That is why in the current era I am vetoing the resolution ordering the county to end fluoridation in the next days she stated Dentists and therapeutic experts the same people that we rely upon to protect our children and our families every day continue to affirm that water fluoridation is a safe effective and efficient way to maintain dental vitality in our county For months county commissioners have been arguing over the benefits and detriments of fluoride in drinking water Although for decades Mayor Levine-Cava s decision was mainstream the view has been criticized in newest weeks after remarks from President Donald Trump Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and other leaders including Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo who claimed continued consumption of fluoride could lead to early maturation issues in children This has led to the county commissioners voting - to approve taking fluoride out of the water supply The mayor has since cited recommendations from doctors dentists society wellbeing experts residents and national physiological groups saying fluoridated water is needed to protect residents from dental conditions that can come from too little fluoride use Miami-Dade County adds milligrams of fluoride per liter of water the CDC-recommended amount Concerns pushed forward by opponents often focus on studies looking at much higher amounts upwards of milligrams per liter The fluoride war however is not over as the county may still overturn the mayor s decision