WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he will urge the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to stop recommending fluoride in drinking water, citing concerns about its impact on health.
“Fluoride should not be in our water,” Kennedy said during his “Make America Healthy Again” tour. “Evidence against fluoride is overwhelming.”
Kennedy argued that toothpaste and mouthwash containing fluoride are sufficient for dental care, and that adding it to public water supplies is unnecessary.
“It makes no sense to have fluoride in our water,” he said.
The American Dental Association pushed back. ADA President Dr. Brett Kessler called Kennedy’s position irresponsible and warned it could result in a spike in dental problems, particularly among children from low-income families.
“Fluoride really has reduced the amount of cavities in the population with little to no side effects,” Kessler said. “We’re going to expect to see a 25-30% increase in cavities, especially in kids, especially in the lower-income socioeconomic demographics.”
On Capitol Hill, lawmakers are split. Rep. Pete Aguilar, (D-Calif.) said Kennedy’s position endangers public health.
“There’s a bunch of health risk that obviously Secretary Kennedy is walking away from,” Aguilar said.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said the issue deserves further investigation.
“There’s a concern that it may be having a negative effect on the health of children,” Johnson said.
According to the CDC, about two-thirds of Americans receive fluoridated drinking water.
