As cities and counties across the state debate and vote on the issue, the Florida Senate on Wednesday passed a bill that would prevent local governments from adding fluoride to water supplies.

The proposed ban, included in a broad bill dealing with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, comes after decades of communities adding fluoride to water to help prevent dental problems.

But with people such as state Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo arguing fluoridation can carry other health risks, many communities have reconsidered the practice. The bill does not specifically mention fluoridation, but it would prevent adding substances to public water supplies that are not about “water quality.”

“We’re here to hydrate, not medicate,” bill sponsor Keith Truenow, R-Tavares, said before the Senate voted 27-9 to pass the measure (SB 700) on Wednesday.

But during a debate Tuesday, Sen. Tina Polsky, D-Boca Raton, said attacks on fluoridation are the “conspiracy theory du jour.” Opponents of the bill said eliminating fluoride from water supplies could particularly lead to dental problems for children.