Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that a Trump administration would advise U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from public water on its first day, despite major medical associations supporting water fluoridation as safe and beneficial to public health. Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic with a history of promoting conspiracy theories, has been involved in litigation opposing water fluoridation. He is expected to play a significant role in a potential future Trump administration’s health policy, as Trump himself has expressed support for Kennedy and his initiatives.
Trump praised Kennedy during an event in Arizona, stating that he could have free rein over health policy, particularly regarding pesticides, vaccines, and medicines. Kennedy, a former independent presidential candidate, has promoted controversial theories linking vaccines to autism and previously suggested support for a national abortion ban after three months of pregnancy before retracting his comments. The Trump campaign has been non-committal about supporting Kennedy’s proposal, with senior adviser Danielle Alvarez stating that Trump is focused on the upcoming election.
Public health organizations such as the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly advocate for water fluoridation, citing its significant role in preventing cavities and maintaining dental health. They emphasize that water fluoridation is a safe and effective method of ensuring dental disease prevention in communities. Despite claims by Kennedy and anti-fluoride groups, there is no scientifically valid evidence linking fluoride to cancer, kidney disease, or any other disorders.
The CDC highlights the benefits of fluoride in strengthening teeth and reducing cavities in children and adults. It notes that the risks associated with community water fluoridation are limited to minor cosmetic changes in dental enamel known as dental fluorosis, which is mostly mild and rarely severe. The American Dental Association reaffirms the safety and effectiveness of water fluoridation based on over 70 years of research and experience, stating that credible scientific evidence consistently supports the practice.
Although water fluoridation programs are not mandatory according to the CDC, efforts by some cities to end these programs have sparked debates about community control over public water supplies. Those opposing water fluoridation argue that it should be a decision left to individual communities rather than mandated at a national or state level. Kennedy’s proposal to remove fluoride from public water has stirred controversy, with concerns raised by health experts and organizations about the potential negative impact on public health if such measures are implemented.
