MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava is expected to veto a controversial commission vote that would make the county’s water fluoride-free starting June 1.
“If it’s not broken, don’t fix it, as somebody said to me,” Levine Cava said.
In anticipation of her likely veto, Levine Cava called on medical and dental experts to weigh in publicly Monday.
“The data is very supportive of protecting babies’ teeth,” said Dr. Cheryl Holder.
“Not only are they safe, they are necessary!” added Dr. Aileen Marty, reinforcing the public health consensus around fluoride’s benefits.
But the Miami-Dade commissioner who led the charge to ban fluoride, Roberto Gonzalez, also showed up — reigniting tensions with Dr. Richard Mufson, an oral surgeon, over last week’s fast-tracked vote.
That vote included input from Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, who warned, “Either all of that research is wrong, or you’re comfortable potentially hurting some special populations in our community.”
In a heated exchange, Gonzalez said, “I talked to the top doctor — Marty — just because top doctors…” before being cut off.
Mufson fired back, criticizing Ladapo directly.
“Our state surgeon general has been free to galavant around our state saying things that are just not true,” Mufson said.
Gonzalez stood by his position, citing potential health risks.
“If there is a risk, and if 0.7 could be too much — when in doubt, take it out,” he said.
Experts on hand argued the studies being used to raise concerns about fluoride are deeply flawed and based on concentrations far higher than the 0.7 parts per liter currently used in Miami-Dade water.
“I think it was pretty definitive here today,” Levine Cava said, hinting that her veto is imminent.
