ADA reaffirms fluoridation stance amid RFK Jr. confirmation process
In a letter to the Senate Finance Committee, the ADA reiterated that community water fluoridation has been a cornerstone of public health since 1945, reducing tooth decay by 25% and benefiting underserved communities. The letter was sent prior to the committee’s vote on whether to move Robert F. Kennedy Jr. forward in the confirmation process to be the secretary of health and human services.
Mr. Kennedy, known for his anti-fluoride stance, raised concerns in written responses to the Senate Finance Committee, suggesting that fluoride in water could be linked to IQ loss. The ADA countered Mr. Kennedy’s claims, asserting that he misrepresented scientific findings from a meta-analysis published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and emphasizing the safety and effectiveness of community water fluoridation at the recommended levels.
Mr. Kennedy, who had previously criticized community water fluoridation through his Children's Health Defense group, claimed that fluoride, when added to public water, leads to serious health problems. The ADA, however, emphasized that the meta-analysis Mr. Kennedy cited refers to fluoride concentrations much higher than the 0.7 mg per liter recommended in the U.S., and no credible evidence supports his claims to change the current practice to fluoride water systems in the US.
The Senate Finance Committee voted 14-13 along party lines to advance Mr. Kennedy to a full Senate vote, possibly next week.
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