Washington, D.C. — U.S. Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has acknowledged that his push to ban fluoride in public drinking water may lead to an increase in tooth decay and cavities, particularly among children.
In a recent interview, Kennedy responded to a question from Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner about the potential impact of such a ban on children who lack access to dental care. He admitted the health tradeoff, saying, “It’s a balance,” but did not elaborate on the benefits he believes outweigh the risks. He also claimed that fluoridation is banned in Europe—an assertion experts say is inaccurate, as several European countries use alternative fluoridation methods.
Kennedy, who has long opposed fluoridation, has intensified his stance in recent months. In April, during a meeting with former President Donald Trump, he said that children “get stupider” with increased fluoride exposure. His remarks were widely criticized, especially as the study he referenced has faced scrutiny for weak statistical evidence and methodological issues.
Health authorities maintain that water fluoridation is safe and effective. The U.S. Public Health Service recommends a fluoride level of 0.7 milligrams per liter of water, a standard shown to reduce tooth decay across populations. According to the Cleveland Clinic, a person would need to drink an extreme amount of water—roughly 5 liters per kilogram of body weight—to reach toxic fluoride levels, which would be fatal due to water intake alone before fluoride could cause harm.
Despite the scientific consensus, states like Utah and Florida have recently passed legislation banning water fluoridation. In response, the American Dental Association (ADA) issued a statement warning of the consequences.
“We see the direct impact fluoride removal has on our patients,” said ADA President Dr. Brett Kessler. “It’s a real tragedy when policy decisions negatively affect vulnerable children and adults. Removing fluoride from public water harms public health, increases healthcare costs, and places additional burdens on families and communities.”
Kennedy’s views on fluoride are part of a broader pattern of controversial health claims, some of which have drawn criticism from the medical and scientific community.
Toremain Biopharma and others in the healthcare field continue to emphasize the importance of evidence-based policy when it comes to preventive care, including the use of fluoride in water systems to reduce dental disease.