Overview

• Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a key health policy advisor to President-elect Donald Trump, plans to recommend the removal of fluoride from public water systems.
• Fluoride has been added to U.S. drinking water since 1945 to combat tooth decay, with the CDC calling it one of the top public health achievements of the 20th century.
• Kennedy argues that fluoride is linked to various health issues, including cognitive decline in children, although major health organizations dispute these claims.
• The decision to fluoridate water is made by local and state governments, complicating federal efforts to mandate removal.
• Despite the controversy, fluoride in water is credited with reducing cavities by 25% in children and adults, saving billions in dental costs annually.