Watch: Parents Coach Kids to Rail Against Fluoride at Miami-Dade Meeting

While most kids across South Florida were busy finishing up the school day, a handful of parents brought their elementary-age kids to Miami-Dade Commission chambers on Tuesday to speak out against water fluoridation.

Following Florida Surgeon General and anti-fluoride advocate Joseph Ladapo's presentation to the Miami-Dade Safety and Health Committee on Tuesday, members of the public offered their two cents about community fluoridation. Ladapo presented to the committee alongside fellow anti-fluoride medical professionals University of Florida professor Dr. Ashley Malin, dentist Dr. Claire Stagg of Indian Harbour Beach, and Coral Springs-based dentist Dr. Maya Assi.

"We have a substantial amount of research that shows that fluoride is neurotoxic, also that it's toxic to the thyroid and other glands," Ladapo said during the meeting.

Afterward, an unusual group of people lined up to speak: eight young children (who probably skipped school for this).

With prepared speeches in their hands, each child shared why they believed the county should halt the long-standing public health practice. Some had a parent by their side, coaching them through their scripts and helping them read their prepared remarks. They referenced information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a Harvard University study, and the New Jersey Department of Health — notable depth of research, as all appeared to be younger than age 10 and likely still equipped with their baby teeth.

While the children cited New Jersey's low rates of water fluoridation (16 percent of the state's population receives fluoridated water from the tap, compared to a national average of 75 percent), they failed to point out that 36 percent of the state's third graders have untreated tooth decay, while the national average is 20 percent.

The children's scripted remarks, along with their parents' guidance, suggested they were present more to echo their elders’ beliefs than to voice independently formed opinions.

03.11.2025 - Safety and Health Committee Meeting https://t.co/sUs8Afhtej

— Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners (@MiamiDadeBCC) March 11, 2025

The first child — whose mother helped him read his speech and recite his address — spoke softly into the microphone and misread Florida as "fluoride."

"I believe fluoride in our water is very bad for us," the boy said. "As of January 9, 2025, at least 36 counties in Florida have removed fluoride from their water due to safety concerns. Why haven't we removed it from ours? Let's make Florida healthy again and end fluoride in our water."

Editor's note: In the photos below, New Times has blurred the faces of the children who addressed the commissioners.  His sister was next to speak, and her mother sat on one knee to help her get through her speech. She also had trouble pronouncing some of the words and names in her speech. Meanwhile, other children sat in the front row, laughing and joking around, as kids do.

"Today, I want to talk to you about fluoride in our water. I believe that adding fluoride in our water is unnecessary," the young girl said before pausing and taking a deep breath. "I looked it up, and according to the New Jersey Department of Health, fluoride can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and even death.

"The National Institute of Health stated individual fluoride status is not assessed, meaning we don't know how much fluoride each person is exposed to. A 2012 Harvard study even showed that slight amounts of fluoride exposure can be toxic to the brain." Another young boy repeated the same talking points, calling fluoride a "medication," which he mispronounced "medification."

"Good afternoon, thank you for this time to ask that we have a choice to have water free from fluoride," he said. "It is a [medication] that is added to everyone's water. Please allow me to have a choice to not take [medication], medicine when drinking water from the faucet. Thank you for your attention and the opportunity to have free, clean water to drink." A pair of sisters spoke next, citing the New Jersey Department of Health. A woman sat behind the two girls as they spoke, recording them on her phone.

"I do not give consent to put this to my body," the older sister declared.  The last child speaker cited a federal court ruling about fluoride that asserted the mineral poses risks to human health.

"Why are city governments still putting this in our water if the court in California said this is not safe?" the young girl asked. "That's why I believe fluoride should not be in our water."

The commission chose not to take action, though several members called into question the movement to end community fluoridation. Commissioner Marlene Bastien said that the group presented just one side of the issue, pointing out that her staff's research "overwhelmingly shows that low level[s] of fluoride in our water is not bad for our health."

On Thursday, March 18, the commission will take up Gonzalez's proposed resolution "directing the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department to discontinue adding fluoride to the county's water supply as expeditiously as possible but not later than 30 days...."