LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) — At the first city commission meeting since Florida changed its health guidance, fluoridation was not discussed by city leaders nor the public.

Lakeland is the largest municipality in Polk County that adds fluoride to its water supply.

One commissioner said he is ready to end the practice.

“If the state has recommended we don’t use it, then I’m going to probably endorse that as well,” Commissioner Bill Read said.

Read said he has spoken with utility department leaders over the years about putting fluoride in Lakeland’s water supply.

“I always inquired with our utility department,” he said. “Should we use it? Are we using it? How much are we using? Stuff like that.”

Lakeland has been adding the long-recommended .7 milligrams per liter of fluoride to its water since 1981, per the city commission’s approval, for its dental health benefits.

“We have a few months worth on site that is in bulk storage. If they decided for us to stop adding it, we would turn it off and quit feeding fluoride,” said Joe Costine, Lakeland’s assistant director for water utilities. “It is a mainstream topic. We are just here waiting on direction from the city commission.”

City commissioners Guy LaLonde and Chad McLeod said they need to do more research before taking any action.

“This is the first time in my five years on the commission that this has come up as an issue, so I want to look into it and study it more,” McLeod said.

“I think it would be best to let it take its course, and then see if we have a public interest in pursuing it and then we will respond to that,” Mayor Bill Mutz said.

Earlier this month, Florida’s Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo traveled to Winter Haven to announce new guidance, advising municipalities to stop adding fluoride to their water.

“This is something that has been defended for a long time, and it is public health malpractice to continue doing it,” said Dr. Ladapo.

The decision on fluoridation is up to local leaders.

The Florida Dental Association said fluoridation is a safe and effective way to prevent tooth decay.

The Winter Haven commission voted this month to stop adding fluoride to its water next year.

“Maybe since Winter Haven has made the initiation, as well as Polk County does not utilize it, it’s going to save us $60,000 is all its gonna save, it’s a minute amount of money but maybe it’s peace of mind,” Read said.