Fluoride in Drinking Water Faces Renewed Scrutiny in U.S.

Florida's surgeon general and President-elect Trump's HHS pick question water fluoridation, citing potential health risks despite longstanding dental benefits.

President-elect Donald Trump has selected Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services Secretary, who has expressed plans to advise against water fluoridation in the U.S.
Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo has recommended communities stop adding fluoride to drinking water, citing potential links to neurodevelopmental risks and IQ reduction.
Fluoridation of water, credited with reducing cavities by 25%, is supported by organizations like the CDC and American Dental Association as a major public health achievement.
Studies highlight both benefits of fluoridation in preventing tooth decay and concerns about potential risks, including skeletal fluorosis and neurobehavioral effects at high exposure levels.
Some U.S. communities are reinstating fluoride in water systems after noticing increased dental issues, while debates over its safety and necessity continue to grow.