Debate continues over removal of fluoride in the water in Pinellas County

CLEARWATER - Dr. Myles Levitt has been a pediatric dentist in Pinellas County for 37 years. 

His response to county commissioners decision to stop adding fluoride to the drinking water isn't surprising. "I was shocked," he said. "The level of science is significant. Any scientific thinking person should want that for their children."

Aletha Barron's grandaughter is one of Dr. Levitt's patients. She credits fluoride in the water and good brushing for her 6-year-old granddaughter's healthy teeth.   " All of a sudden I'm being told it's a done deal," she said. "We had no chance to vote and decide."

According to the FDA, 80% of Florida's population gets water that has additional fluoride.

But in Pinellas County it has always been a hot button issue. It just started adding fluoride 7 years ago.

Norm Roche is one of four county commissioners who voted to stop adding the cavity-fighting chemical to the county's public drinking water, but he still believes the issue is alive and worth a public debate.  "It's not just about fluoridating the water, it's about the chemical used to fluoridate the water," he said.

Tomorrow morning, several dentists in the area plan to attend a regularly-scheduled commission meeting. They are hoping to change some of the commissioners minds by speaking during the public comments portion of the meeting.