The top health official of the nation’s third-largest state called Friday for a halt to adding fluoride to Florida’s water, citing controversial studies that suggest the widely hailed public health practice poses a risk to developing brains.

Florida's State Surgeon General issued a recommendation against community water fluoridation due to neuropsychiatric risks. "Due to the neuropsychiatric risk associated with fluoride exposure, particularly in pregnant women and children, and the wide ...

Ladapo said he was recommending against fluoride in the water because of the “neuropsychiatric risk associated with fluoride exposure” and cited the wide availability of fluoride through other means, like toothpastes, mouthwash and in-office dental applications.