Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been a vocal critic of fluoride in drinking water, raising concerns about its safety and health effects. I get it, it’s scary to hear. While it is always important to scrutinise what goes into our water supply, many of RFK Jr.’s claims about fluoride are not supported by scientific consensus. This is frustrating as a dentist who advocates the benefits of fluoride to lessen decay. In fact my own Honours thesis from the University of Sydney showed clear links between fluoride use and decay prevention. So let’s break down his concerns and separate fact from fiction.
Claim 1: Fluoride Lowers IQ and Harms Brain Development
One of RFK Jr.’s most prominent arguments is that fluoride lowers IQ in children and has neurotoxic effects. This claim is based largely on studies conducted in areas with extremely high fluoride levels, far beyond what is found in fluoridated public water supplies.
Debunking the Claim:
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine reviewed fluoride’s effects and found no conclusive evidence that fluoridation at recommended levels harms brain development.
A 2019 study published in JAMA Pediatrics suggested a potential association between fluoride exposure and lower IQ, but it was widely criticized for methodological flaws and lack of replication.
Large-scale studies in countries with fluoridated water have not shown a significant impact on cognitive function.
Claim 2: Fluoride Is a Toxic Industrial Waste Product
RFK Jr. has argued that fluoride added to water is a hazardous waste byproduct from industrial processes.
Debunking the Claim:
The fluoride used in public water systems comes from compounds like sodium fluoride or fluorosilicic acid, which are purified and regulated for safety.
Many naturally occurring water sources contain fluoride, sometimes at levels higher than those used in water fluoridation.
The dose makes the poison: at controlled levels (0.7 parts per million in the U.S. and 1.0 parts per million in Sydney drinking water), fluoride is safe and beneficial.
Claim 3: Fluoride Does Not Prevent Cavities
Some opponents of fluoridation claim that fluoride’s benefits for dental health are overstated or nonexistent.
Debunking the Claim:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) recognize water fluoridation as one of the greatest public health achievements.
Decades of studies show that fluoride reduces tooth decay by strengthening enamel and making it more resistant to acid. It is literally taken up into the tooth surface to replace enamel minerals (Hydroxyapatite) and forms something called Fluorapatite.
Communities that remove fluoride from their water often see a rise in cavities - this happened in Calgary - Canada, where decay got so bad, they voted to put fluoride back into the drinking water.
Claim 4: Fluoridation Is Forced Medication
RFK Jr. and other critics argue that adding fluoride to public water is a form of forced medication that violates individual rights.
Debunking the Claim:
Water treatment involves many additives, such as chlorine, to ensure safety and public health.
Fluoride is not a drug but a mineral that occurs naturally in water. Fluoridation simply adjusts levels to an optimal amount for dental health.
People who wish to avoid fluoride can use reverse osmosis filters or bottled water.
The Scientific Consensus
Major health organizations, including the CDC, WHO, American Dental Association (ADA), and National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), support water fluoridation as a safe and effective public health measure. The evidence overwhelmingly shows that fluoride at recommended levels is beneficial and does not pose the risks RFK Jr. suggests.
While questioning public health policies is essential, it is equally important to base those critiques on rigorous, peer-reviewed science. The fear surrounding fluoride is largely fueled by misinformation rather than legitimate concerns. Public health officials continue to monitor fluoride safety, ensuring that it remains a protective measure against tooth decay rather than a source of harm.
A great video explanation can be seen, here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vz6-5nup3rw
Cover image: Source; https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2024/11/19/global-health-in-a-trumpian-world/ used under Create Commons license - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/