Decisions about fluoridating public drinking water have prompted both passionate support and strong opposition since the process first began in 1945, and that debate continues today.
Experts in water quality, water fluoridation, and municipal public governance led a public panel discussion about fluoridated water as a public health issue at Florida Polytechnic University on Thursday, Feb. 19. The panel was part of the Office of Public Policy Events forum series called “Fantastic Forces: Elements in Action.”
“Our goal tonight is not to declare winners, but to better understand the science, the policy choices, and the values beneath them,” said Kelli Stargel, the event’s moderator and Florida Poly’s vice president of strategic initiatives, development and external relations.
Water fluoridation is the process of adjusting the amount of fluoride – a naturally occurring mineral – in a public water supply to a specific level to help prevent tooth decay. In the United States, that optimal level is 0.7 parts per million.
“Dental decay is the most common chronic disease of children and adults in the world. It’s infectious and transmissible, and more common than obesity, diabetes and asthma. That’s why we want to stop it,” said Dr. Johnny Johnson, a pediatric dentist and president of the American Fluoridation Society. “Fluoridation is a key tool for getting the right amount of fluoride to everybody in the community without requiring a change in daily habits.”
Panelists also included Dr. Jun Kim, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at Florida Poly, and Brad Dantzler, former mayor of the City of Winter Haven, Florida.
“Safe water is very essential for our lives,” Kim said. “City operators, managers, directors, mayors and commissioners work 24/7, 365 days a year to make sure their water is always potable, clean and safe for the public.”
After lengthy public debate in late 2024, Winter Haven voted to end water fluoridation. Dantzler said, as part of the decision, the $50,000 that the city spent on fluoridation each year was reallocated to provide fluoride toothpaste and treatments to underprivileged and underserved residents.
“We heard from so many people who said they didn’t want us doing this, and it became this football that no matter who you talked to, they had some sort of study,” Dantzler said. “We talked about this for over a year before we finally came to a conclusion.”
In May 2025, Florida banned the practice statewide.
The 2025-26 Fantastic Forces forum series explores how earth, air, fire and water affect the environment, economy and daily life. The next event will take place later in the spring semester.
Contact:
Lydia Guzmán
Director of Communications
863-874-8557
