BARTOW, Fla. — The city of Bartow is the latest to talk about removing fluoride from its drinking water.

What You Need To Know

  • City of Bartow officials discussed whether to continue adding fluoride in its water 

  • They are considering recent guidance from Florida's surgeon general, who spoke against the practice

  • A local dentist disagrees with the guidance, calling water fluoridation, "the greatest public health intervention in the 20th century"

During a meeting Monday, leaders considered recent guidance from State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo.

Ladapo spoke against the long-held practice after Winter Haven commissioners voted 3-2 to remove fluoride from its water supply.

At the meeting, officials said they want to hold a workshop where they can hear from experts and have more time to discuss the pros and cons of water fluoridation.

Two commissioners raised concerns about what removing fluoride would mean for public health, saying tooth decay can lead to serious health conditions.

"I have to feel better about voting to remove fluoride from water knowing that it affects people who are from marginalized communities who can't afford dental care - and there are a lot of people like that," said commissioner Leo Longworth.

Meantime, Bartow Mayor Trish Pfeiffer said she thinks the health of the whole body is more important than that of just the teeth.

"If someone wants to treat their teeth, that should be their choice," Pfeiffer said. "I'm informed now, and I do not consent. That is me, and I feel that if we're in a body to make decisions, I know what my decision's gonna be."

The mayor says she plans to reach out to Ladapo to ask him to attend the upcoming workshop.

Bartow dentist weighs in

When it comes to the debate over fluoride, Dr. Mary Prendiville says the answer is clear.

“Water fluoridation in this country was the greatest public health intervention in the 20th century,” she said.

Prendiville started practicing dentistry in 2011. Decades before opening Prendiville Family Dental in Bartow, she said fluoride improved generations of teeth. Now, she says it continues to benefit her young patients.

“Naturally, we have over 700 species of bacteria in our mouth that are constantly producing acids,” Prendiville said. “Fluoride reinforces and compacts the crystalline structure of the tooth, making it more resistant to those acids. Therefore, the teeth are more resistant to decay.”

On Nov. 22, Ladapo acknowledged that fluoride supports dental health. However, he claimed there are other ways for people to receive the mineral other than through water.

“Fluoridated toothpaste is widely accessible. Fluoride mouthwashes are another option that can strengthen teeth without forcing people to systematically absorb fluoride, including into the brain,” he said. “Based on this, we have issued new guidance encouraging Floridians to stop adding fluoride to their water supply.”

The three-page document lists several studies showing that fluoride exposure has negative impacts on children’s developing brains and IQs. But Prendiville says these effects are mostly seen in cases where people are not ingesting fluoride in moderation.

“It’s dose-dependent. Parents have to be educated. People have to be educated,” she said. “It’s like anything in our diet — we don’t want to overdo it, but it’s vital for kids' teeth. It keeps them out of emergency rooms and prevents major procedures at a very young age.”

Prendiville said she hopes city leaders will take that into consideration before making a final decision.

According to Florida’s Department of Health, Bartow is one of five cities in Polk County that still add fluoride to drinking water, along with Auburndale, Haines City, Lakeland, and Lake Alfred.