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Wealthy Town Drops Fluoride

Following hours of debate, Wellington’s city council voted 3-2 late Tuesday to stop adding fluoride to its drinking water, the Palm Beach Post reports.

The village, which is known for hosting international polo and equestrian events, has been using fluoride for 14 years, ever since public health authorities reached consensus that it was safe and prevented tooth decay, especially in children.

But some Wellington residents called the chemical poison and said they should not be forced into medical treatment without their consent.

Supporters of fluoridation who showed up for the debate included dentists and students from a local dental hygiene program. Opponents called their arguments “propaganda.”

Originally founded in December 2006 as an independent grassroots publication dedicated to coverage of health issues in Florida, Health News Florida was acquired by WUSF Public Media in September 2012.