Collier County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Feb. 13 to discontinue the practice of fluoridation in the county’s public potable water supply.
Commissioner Dan Kowal, who brought forward the item, said he started looking into the use of fluoride while analyzing ways to cut utility costs for the county. Collier spends about $130,000 annually on the fluoride itself and an additional $200,000 annually for the equipment and maintenance. Fluoride has been in the county’s public water since 1985.
To Kowal, it was about more than saving taxpayer’s money. He pointed to the Health Freedom Bill of Rights, which was adopted last year, and how having fluoride in water is a form of forcing medication upon residents. Having fluoride in the public water system is not a state mandate, but it is recommended by health organizations, such as the Center of Disease Control.
“In reality, as we sit here today, we as a board and as Collier County, we are in violation of our very own law,” Kowal said.
There were more than 40 registered speakers at the meeting ready to voice their thoughts on water fluoridation. Those who were in favor of removing the mineral from water cited concerns that the increase fluoride exposure is causing thyroid issues, bone fractures and decreased IQ levels in children.
Dr. Josephine Perez is a dentist in Naples and said that there are hundreds of studies that show fluoride in water isn’t the answer to increased dental health in the community.
“I love the idea of fluoride in our water, it makes it simple to strengthen teeth and prevent cavities. I have studied this for years through research and up close and personal with the patients I care for. The idea is great, but I have been devastated to find it doesn’t work,” Perez said.
Dr. Lauren Governale with the NCEF Pediatric Dental Center in Naples said hundreds of children are on a waiting list for dental services, and she fears that if water fluoridation is discontinued, the list will grow longer.
“There’s no doubt that this initiative helps relieve the pain and suffering due to dental decay, which causes abscess teeth and is rampantly found in Collier County for underserved children,” Governale said. “We continue to see very high rates of decay in this population, and we go to great lengths to treat these children.”
Among residents that voiced against fluoridation was Oakes Farm owner Alfie Oakes. He said this is a topic that is personal to him, as his late father spoke to the Collier commission more than 10 years ago about taking fluoride out of public water. Oakes said when he was a child his father spent $900 for a reverse osmosis system for his house to ensure there was no fluoride in the water at home.
“The difference between right now and when my dad was here 13, 14 years ago fighting for it, the difference is we don’t trust the white coats anymore,” Oakes said.
Stephanie Nordin is a Collier County native and is the founder of Autism Collier. She brought forward the concern that the exposure to fluoride could be a cause for the rising number of autism cases in children.
Commissioner William McDaniel said although the health of children is of great importance, he agrees that fluoride should be removed from the water system.
Commissioner Chris Hall, who brought forward the concept of the Freedom Health Bill of Rights to the county, agreed fluoride shouldn’t be forced to be ingested by the community any longer.
“I’m all for removing [fluoride] and giving people the choice to add the fluoride that they want to, and the ones that don’t, don’t have it pushed upon them,” Hall said. “So, it’s all about health, freedom and limited government, and I’m all about it.”
Both Marco Island and Everglades City do not have fluoride in their public drinking water, while the City of Naples still practices fluoridation.
Kowal added to his motion having further conversations with the dental community and members of the school board on how to spread information to promote dental health, especially in underserved communities.
