Health agencies and experts continue to stand by the safety of fluoride in drinking water, even as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called for a nationwide ban on fluoridation.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently recommends 0.7 mg/L of fluoride in public water systems to support dental health. This long-standing practice began in the 1940s and remains endorsed by major organizations like the American Dental Association (ADA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Kennedy’s proposal follows Utah’s recent decision to halt water fluoridation, the first state to do so. He also announced plans to form a task force and review recommendations surrounding fluoride use.
While recent studies — including one published in — have raised concerns about potential links between high fluoride exposure and reduced IQ in children, experts note these studies are based on regions with significantly higher fluoride levels than those in the U.S.
Many researchers, including Dr. Bruce Lanphear and Dr. Danelle Fisher, urge caution when interpreting such findings. They advocate for more U.S.-based, high-quality research before drawing conclusions that could affect public health policies.
Despite the ongoing debate, fluoride remains an effective and low-cost tool for preventing tooth decay, especially in communities with limited access to dental care.
