Florida should stop adding fluoride in its drinking water systems, according to recommended guidance from the state's surgeon general and health department. Dr. Joseph Ladapo came to Winter Haven on Friday to make the announcement. Just last week, leaders voted to remove fluoride from the city's drinking water. Proponents of the removal cited a September court ruling calling on the EPA to strengthen its regulation of fluoride, as well as claims from Robert F. Kennedy Jr. There's also a recent study suggesting fluoride could negatively impact children's brain development, according to Ladapo. But our VERIFY team found that information to be misleading. More on that later in this article. According to a release from the Florida Department of Health, Ladapo has issued guidance recommending "against community water fluoridation due to the neuropsychiatric risk associated with fluoride exposure." "Due to the neuropsychiatric risk associated with fluoride exposure, particularly in pregnant women and children, and the wide availability of alternative sources of fluoride for dental health, the State Surgeon General recommends against community water fluoridation," the release said in part. It should be noted that not every community in Florida adds fluoride to its drinking water; however, the health department said more than 70% of Floridians live in places where the water is fluoridated. For a complete list of communities that add fluoride to drinking water, click or tap here. The release explains that many communities began adding fluoride, a naturally occurring chemical found in different types of water, soil, plants, and foods, to drinking water to prevent tooth decay. Fluoride strengthens teeth and reduces cavities by replacing minerals lost during normal wear and tear, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/health/fluoride-drinking-water-florida-surgeon-general-health-department/67-92a7eaa3-9dfc-4375-aaa4-91cc2dfe279b