Residents urge Oviedo City Council to remove fluoride from drinking water

Several residents used the public-comment period at the Oviedo City Council meeting on Jan. 6 to urge the council to remove fluoride from the city’s drinking water.

Agnieszka Francis of 185 Lake Hyatt Road told the council she was “here to advocate for the removal of fluoridate from our water supply,” calling it a public-health and ethics concern. She said studies classify fluoride as a neurotoxin and linked “excessive fluoride exposure to developmental neurological disorders,” and asked the council to “take a closer look at this issue, consider removing fluoride from our water supply.”

Bethany Stevenson, who identified herself as a Florida resident, said she grew up locally and referenced a recent recommendation from Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladipo against water fluoridation. “Some municipalities in the state have elected to remove the fluoride from the drinking water,” Stevenson said, naming several communities she said had ended or suspended fluoridation. She described dental fluorosis and said other modern dental hygiene practices reduce tooth decay.

Two children who joined Stevenson — Carter Stevenson and Kyrie Stevenson — also spoke during public comment. Carter said, “I don't like fluoride in our water because it's toxic. Please remove it from our water sources.” Kyrie said, “I would like you to please take out the fluoride in our water. It is toxic and not good for your body.”

Council members did not take action during the public-comment period. Mayor Sladek later said the council should consider holding a public discussion on fluoride at a future meeting so residents and staff can present information and public input can be gathered.

The speakers referenced state-level discussion and local decisions elsewhere; the council did not verify those claims during the meeting. No ordinance, resolution or staff directive to remove fluoride was introduced or passed at the Jan. 6 meeting.