U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is leading a national shift in public health policy by calling on the CDC to stop recommending fluoride in community drinking water. During a press conference in Salt Lake City, Kennedy praised Utah for becoming the first state to ban fluoridation statewide, calling it a “leader in making America healthy again.”
Kennedy, a longtime advocate for environmental health and personal choice, is assembling a federal task force to reexamine the science surrounding fluoride. His stance is gaining traction as the EPA also announced a new review of emerging evidence regarding potential health risks of fluoride exposure.
While fluoride has historically been promoted for preventing tooth decay, Kennedy argues that modern science paints a far more concerning picture. He has referred to fluoride as a “dangerous neurotoxin,” linking it to thyroid issues, arthritis, bone fractures, and potential cognitive harm. A 2023 federal report highlighted an association between high fluoride levels and reduced IQ in children—raising serious questions about its continued use.
Though critics, including the Utah Oral Health Coalition, claim Kennedy’s move is politically motivated, the facts remain: Americans are increasingly questioning the need to medicate public water supplies with a substance that may do more harm than good. The implications are massive with over 60% of the U.S. population drinking fluoridated water.
Kennedy cannot mandate fluoride bans, but he can influence national policy through CDC guidance and cooperation with the EPA. And with the CDC’s Oral Health Division recently disbanded amid federal cutbacks, the future of pro-fluoride advocacy is uncertain.
RFK Jr. is taking a stand for health freedom and science-based oversight. As more states reconsider fluoridation, his leadership may mark a turning point in how we view this once-celebrated public health measure.
