Miami-Dade Mayor Levine Cava vetoes county decision to remove fluoride from water
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced Friday her decision to veto a controversial measure passed by county commissioners last week to remove fluoride from the county's drinking water.
"The science is very clear, the decision to remove fluoride ignores the guidance of dentists and medical experts," the mayor said during a press conference at the Stephen P. Clark Center in Downtown Miami.
"Ending fluoridation could have a real and lasting impact, especially for children and families who can't afford dental care," Levine Cava said, explaining that no major study has shown that fluoride at the levels used in Miami-Dade County is harmful.
"For nearly 70 years we followed the recommendations of experts to add fluoride to water. They continue to affirm that water fluoridation is safe and effective for dental health," the mayor added.
The mayor said she spent the past several days meeting with dentists, doctors, public health professionals, community leaders and residents to weigh the implications of the proposal.
Commissioner Roberto Gonzalez vows to override Cava's veto
Commissioner Roberto Gonzalez, who sponsored the fluoride removal item, issued a statement on social media following the mayor's announcement, accusing Levine Cava of letting politics get in the way of a bipartisan resolution.
Gonzalez argued that removing fluoride has broad scientific and public support, and that the mayor's decision puts vulnerable groups like pregnant women and children at risk. Gonzalez called on his colleagues to rise above political divisions and reaffirm their support for the resolution.
"I urge my colleagues to once again join me in rising above the political fray and do what's right for the people, their health, and individual freedom," Gonzalez said.
The Miami-Dade County Commission can override Levine Cava's veto with a two-thirds majority vote.
Miami-Dade County Commission votes to remove fluoride
The issue resurfaced after the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners voted last week to eliminate fluoride from the public water supply, igniting a heated debate among officials and community members.
Dr. Aileen Marty, an infectious disease expert, emphasized the importance of fluoride in children's dental health.
"As a parent, I was in a situation where I did not have enough fluoride in the water for my child, and because of that, I gave her fluoride pills—just so you understand the importance of fluoride," she said.
What is fluoride and what are its potential benefits?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that's found in water, soil, plants, rocks, and even air.
Fluoridation has long been endorsed by major health organizations as a safe and effective method to reduce dental cavities. Still, critics argue for local choice and potential concerns about overexposure, prompting the recent legislative push.
South Florida dentist Dr. Karen Sierra emphasized fluoride's benefits for dental health.
"One of the main things that fluoridation in our city water has helped with is preventing cavities," Sierra said. "Fluoride strengthens the enamel and makes it much more resistant to decay in children and adults."
