Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Leonard Vialpando
Department: Resilient Environment Division: Administration
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO ADOPT Resolution, the title of which is as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, REAFFIRMING SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY WATER FLUORIDATION TO PROMOTE PUBLIC HEALTH AND PREVENT TOOTH DECAY; RECOGNIZING THE CRITICAL ROLE OF WATER FLUORIDATION AND PROVIDING FOR CONTINUED ADVOCACY OF FLUORIDATION IN PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS; PROVIDING FOR TRANSMITTAL OF THE RESOLUTION; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
(Sponsored by Commissioner Steve Geller)
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Why Action is Necessary
Formal Board approval is necessary for the adoption of a Resolution.
What Action Accomplishes
Enables the adoption and transmittal of the Resolution.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☒County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
None taken.
Summary Explanation/Background
THE RESILIENT ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT AND THE BROWARD COUNTY WATER ADVISORY BOARD SUPPORT THE ABOVE MOTION.
This item supports the Board’s goal of a Healthy Community, “Delivering accessible human services that holistically address the whole person collaboratively and compassionately”.
This Item
At the January 10, 2025, joint meeting of the Broward County Water Advisory Board and its Technical Advisory Committee, presentations were given on the topic of community water fluoridation and public health considerations. Experts to support this discussion were solicited through outreach to the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, among others. The agenda included presentations by Dr. Johnny Johnson, Pediatric Dentist, Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, Life Fellow, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and Dr. Rana Alissa Pediatrician, President, Florida Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics and University of Florida Associate Professor of Pediatrics.
Presentation and discussion highlights are as follows:
• Fluoridation has prevented millions of childhood cavities, improved overall dental health, and saved billions of dollars in dental costs.
• The American Dental Association identities water fluoridation as the single most effective method to prevent tooth decay, reducing it by over 25%, even with widespread success to fluoride through other sources such as toothpaste.
• Reputable scientific studies confirm that fluoride concentrations below 1.5 mg/L pose no risk to human health or cognitive function.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognizes community water fluoridation as one of the ten greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. This practice benefits everyone, particularly underserved populations without regular access to dental care, making it a vital tool for promoting social justice and advancing health equity.
After reviewing the evidence presented and following discussion, the Water Advisory Board voted to support and transmit, for the Board of County Commissioner’s consideration, a resolution reaffirming support for continued fluoridation of drinking water and urging preservation of this practice by all local municipal and private water utilities at the level of 0.7 mg/l, consistent with PHS guidance and with the commitment to comply with EPA standards.
Background
In November 2024, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo issued guidance recommending against community water fluoridation based on neuropsychiatric risk. This guidance followed a district court ruling that requires the E.P.A to initiate rulemaking to address the level of fluoride in drinking water in response to a petitioner lawsuit.
The court ruling emphasized findings of a study that suggested a link between fluoride and IQ, even at low levels. Experts have argued (included the authors themselves) that the key study referenced in the argument reflected a high risk of data bias and was never designed to address the public health implications of water fluoridation in the U.S. It remains unclear what the next steps might be following the E.P.A. ruling, but the overwhelming consensus of public health experts and the body of evidence-based research is in support of fluoridation.
Of note, the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS), having considered all sources of fluoride intake, continues to recommend that drinking water contain 0.7 mg fluoride per liter as the concentration that maximizes fluoride's oral health benefits while minimizing potential harms, such as dental fluorosis (Exhibit 2). This concentration is identified as the target for optimizing protection against cavities while minimizing dental fluorosis. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency currently sets the maximum amount of fluoride allowed in drinking water at 4.0 mg/l.
With support for this resolution, the Board of County Commissioners of Broward County, reaffirms its own commitment to continued fluoridation of drinking water and urges all public water suppliers within the county to continue fluoridation of water supplies, with committed compliance to federal guidelines and standards.
Source of Additional Information
Dr. Jennifer Jurado, Chief Resilience Officer and Deputy Director, Resilient Environment Department, (954) 519-1464.
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
None.