On January 6, 2025, JAMA Pediatrics released a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis entitled, Fluoride Exposure and Children’s IQ Scores. This review of 74 international studies on the effects of fluoridation in water concluded that most of the studies associated drops in children’s IQ with increasing levels of fluoridation in water. However, the studies in review were not conducted by the U.S. government and none of the studies examined the effects of U.S. fluoridation practices and the fluoride levels studied were all higher than the required level in the U.S. Additionally, 52 of the studies had a high risk of bias or concerns about the reliability and accuracy of results. 
 
President-elect Donald Trump has officially nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). 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, and this JAMA Pediatrics review could help support his claims. 
 
Impact on General Dentistry: The AGD understands the importance of fluoride for preventing cavities and tooth decay. We agree with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that fluoride is one the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century and that it is a safe, effective, and cost-efficient tool for improving overall oral health when used as recommended. We will be tracking this issue and are prepared to advocate on the importance of fluoride for children and adults.