After suspending his presidential campaign this year, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. endorsed President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign. Since President Trump’s victory, Kennedy has made several press statements indicating that he will have an important role in directing the Trump Administration’s health policy agenda, though a specific role has not yet been announced. For instance, Kennedy has stated that on day one, the Trump administration would “advise all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from public water.” Kennedy has claimed that fluoride is “industrial waste” causing serious medical conditions, including bone fractures and thyroid disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shared that providing optimally fluoridated water to U.S. communities for one year saves $6.5 billion in dental treatment costs and offers an average return on investment of $20 for every $1 spent. The CDC has also highlighted that on average, communities with water fluoridation experience 25 percent fewer cavities, saving $32 per person annually by avoiding dental treatment costs and leading to fewer missed work and school days.

Impact on General Dentistry: AGD understands the importance of fluoride for preventing cavities and tooth decay. We agree with the CDC that fluoride is a safe, effective, and cost-efficient tool for improving overall oral health. We will be monitoring this issue and are prepared to advocate on the importance of fluoride for children and adults.