North Miami Beach commissioners schedule workshop after large public push to remove fluoride from water

Dozens of North Miami Beach residents, dentists and public-health advocates urged the City Commission on Jan. 21 to end the city’s practice of adding fluoride to its water, arguing the chemical poses health risks especially to children and pregnant women.

Supporters of removing fluoride filled the public-comment portion of the meeting and included dentists and physicians who said topical fluoride (toothpaste, dental treatments) is effective while ingesting industrial fluoride compounds is unnecessary and potentially harmful. Speakers asked the commission to act quickly and cited recent court rulings and federal reviews they said require a re-evaluation of local policy.

The petitioners’ remarks came from a mix of residents and health professionals. Josh Jammey, a North Miami Beach resident, told commissioners that “fluorosilicic acid is a byproduct of fertilizer production and is classified as a toxic substance,” and urged immediate removal (public comment 01:50:29). Several dentists who spoke — including Dr. Bridal Rosenbaum, who described clinical concerns about dental fluorosis and bone brittleness, and Dr. Seth Gilson, who described fluoride as “a neurotoxin” in the form used for water fluoridation — urged the city to stop systemic dosing and instead rely on targeted, professional application of topical fluoride (public comments 01:57:15–02:12:00).

Commissioners said they would not make a final decision at the meeting. Mayor Michael Joseph and City Manager directed staff to schedule a dedicated workshop that includes presentations from the Florida Surgeon General’s office, the Florida Dental Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the utility regulator so commissioners and the public can hear technical perspectives before a vote. Vice Mayor Lynn Hsu requested that other municipalities and Miami‑Dade County be invited because the city supplies water to neighboring jurisdictions (meeting discussion 00:10:45).

Why this matters: The substance of the comments and the commission’s response make the issue a municipal policy debate with public‑health implications. Removing fluoride would change the utility’s water‑treatment process, affect billing and require coordination with any co‑served jurisdictions. Proponents and opponents both asked the city to rely on technical presentations and peer‑reviewed research; commissioners chose a workshop to obtain more information before considering policy change.

What commissioners said and asked: Several commissioners pushed staff to convene a workshop with a broad set of presenters and to return with a technical recommendation. Commissioner Phyllis Smith asked that the plant manager attend the workshop and provide operational details. Vice Mayor Hsu asked staff to invite nearby municipal partners and the county because treatment choices affect shared service areas. City Manager said the city will invite the Surgeon General’s office and other technical sources and share all backup materials with commissioners in advance.

Next steps: The commission did not vote on any ordinance or resolution at the meeting regarding fluoride. Staff was directed to schedule a workshop, gather technical presentations from state and federal health agencies and the utility operator, and invite neighboring municipalities that receive water from the city. No date for the workshop was announced at the meeting.

Community responses and claims: Public commenters cited a mixture of peer‑reviewed studies, a recent federal court ruling and reports in JAMA Pediatrics and other outlets. Opponents of immediate removal — including a small number of commenters who support fluoridation as a public‑health measure — pointed out that major public‑health bodies have historically endorsed water fluoridation at recommended concentrations. The city has not yet taken a formal position; commissioners asked staff for factual presentations to inform future action.

What the record shows: Commissioners granted the request to hold a workshop and asked staff to include technical briefings from the State Surgeon General’s office, the Florida Dental Association and the CDC; they also asked staff to notify municipalities served by the same water system. No ordinances or resolutions regarding fluoridation were adopted at this meeting.

Ending: The City Commission set out a process to gather expert testimony and information before making any change to the municipal water‑treatment practice. The workshop will be the forum in which commissioners and the public can hear technical experts and evaluate whether policy changes are warranted.