A community forum at the Bartow Civic Center on Tuesday evening took up one issue: Should the city continue adding fluoride to its drinking water? After a September federal court ruling called for the Environmental Protection Agency to take a closer look at the potential health risks stemming from the recommended levels of fluoride in the United States drinking water supply, a debate has grown about whether the benefits of water fluoridation outweigh the risks. Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Lapado and the president of the American Fluoridation Society, Dr. Johnny Johnson, made their case for each side of the aisle. In November, the state's top health official issued guidance recommending against community water fluoridation due to the "neuropsychiatric risk" associated with fluoride exposure. Dr. Lapado spoke before community members and local leaders. "The cost, in terms of human health, is far too high to be fooling around with it," Dr. Lapado said. "Neuropsychiatric harms, lower IQ, more ADHD, more behavioral problems more problems with executive function." Meanwhile, Dr. Johnson, a pediatric dentist, said removing fluoride from drinking water can disproportionately impact low-income families. "When it comes to what is the most easiest thing to do, takes no effort on anybody's part and knocks out almost half the cavities everybody gets, no matter what age you are or income group, fluoridated water at the optimal level does that and there are zero health effects," Dr. Johnson said. Residents, business owners, dentists, activists and others spoke during public comment with varying opinions on what the city should do. MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/polkcounty/pros-cons-fluoride-drinking-water-bartow/67-78863f80-e50a-4392-aaa8-0c68b93e5884