Local governments in Florida ​and across the country recently have debated — and, in some cases, stopped — the longstanding practice of adding fluoride​ to water supplies.

A new bill filed in the Florida Senate aims to prohibit the addition of fluoride to public water supplies, sparking debate over the long-standing practice and its impact on public health. Senator Keith Truenow (R-Tavares) introduced the bill (SB 700) on Thursday with the backing of Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.

Local governments in Florida and across the country recently have debated — and, in some cases, stopped — the longstanding practice of adding fluoride to water supplies. Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo has urged more communities to take that step, appearing personally at a hearing in Tavares late last year as the city halted the practice.

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Harmful or helpful? Both the benefits and the risks of fluoride injected into public drinking water systems was part of a legislative discussion.

With the backing of Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, a Senate Republican on Thursday filed a wide-ranging bill that would bar public water systems from adding fluoride to water supplies. Sen.