RFK Jr. to Target Water Fluoridation as the Country’s Next Health Secretary
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., slated to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, vows to end community water fluoridation, citing safety concerns, while the ADA and other dental organizations remain in support of the practice as an effective approach to reducing dental caries, especially among vulnerable populations.
The battle over fluoride in public health has taken a sharp turn as President-Elect Donald Trump announced Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Known for his controversial stance on vaccines and water fluoridation, Kennedy has declared his intent to eliminate fluoride from public drinking water — a move aligned with Trump’s campaign promise to “Make America Healthy Again.”
Fluoridation, endorsed by federal officials in 1950, is lauded as one of the greatest public health achievements, strengthening teeth and preventing caries. However, Kennedy points to studies suggesting links between high fluoride exposure and cognitive impairments in children, including a National Toxicology Program review. Critics argue these findings don’t reflect typical fluoridation levels and stress its safety and efficacy.
A recent court ruling has amplified this debate. United States District Judge Edward Chen ordered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to strengthen fluoride regulations, citing “unreasonable potential risk” to children’s developing brains. In his decision, Chen pointed to evidence linking fluoride to reduced IQ, though he stopped short of declaring fluoridated water a definitive public health danger. The ruling follows a lawsuit filed by advocacy groups who petitioned the EPA in 2017 to ban fluoridation chemicals. The EPA is currently reviewing the decision.
The American Dental Association (ADA) remains a staunch supporter of water fluoridation, including in a public statement: “The ADA endorses community water fluoridation as a safe, beneficial, and cost-effective public health measure for preventing dental caries.”
The American Dental Hygienists’ Association, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Public Health Association, Academy of General Dentistry, and the American Medical Association all support the role of water fluoridation in the fight against dental caries.
