Newly appointed Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has called for an immediate halt to water fluoridation across the United States, labeling fluoride a “hazardous neurotoxin” despite decades of scientific evidence supporting its safety and effectiveness in preventing tooth decay.
The announcement comes as Utah becomes the first state to ban fluoride from public drinking water systems, with a deadline of May 7, 2025, for complete removal. This legislative action has sparked renewed debate about the safety and necessity of water fluoridation, a public health measure that currently reaches approximately 60% of Americans.
“The two areas that were studied were Juneau, Alaska, and Alberta, Canada, and when they removed that fluoride, the rates of cavities increased dramatically in the children of those populations,” said Dr. Aaron Yancoskie, highlighting concerns among dental health professionals about the potential consequences of fluoride removal.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains that community water fluoridation remains essential for public health, noting it reduces tooth decay by 25% and particularly benefits underserved communities. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) currently sets a maximum fluoride level of 4 mg/L, with typical community water levels maintained around 0.7 mg/L.
Kennedy’s stance has met resistance from the American Dental Association (ADA), which continues to emphasize the safety and effectiveness of fluoridation at recommended levels. The organization has publicly challenged Kennedy’s position, citing decades of research supporting fluoride’s benefits.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has noted a “moderate confidence” link between higher fluoride exposure and lower IQ in children, though these findings were based on fluoride levels approximately twice the U.S. recommended amount.
As the debate intensifies, growing opposition to water fluoridation has emerged across the country, with some communities pointing to alternative cavity prevention methods used successfully in other nations. However, dental experts warn that removing fluoride could disproportionately affect lower-income communities with limited access to dental care.
The EPA has announced plans to reassess the health risks associated with fluoride exposure, a review that could potentially reshape national policy on water fluoridation in the coming years.