RFK Jr. Says 'More Cavities' Due to No Fluoride in Water Is 'a Balance'

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said that the U.S. would "see probably slightly more cavities" if fluoride is removed from drinking water.

In an appearance on Fox News' Faulkner Focus, Kennedy said, "Well, people will still get indemnified for it to the extent that they're already indemnified. But, you know, it is an issue, it's a balance. You're gonna see probably slightly more cavities, although in Europe, where they banned fluoride, they did not see an uptick in cavities.

"The issue is parents need to decide because the science is very clear on fluoride. The National Toxicity Program issued a report of a meta-review of all the science on it in August that said there's a direct inverse correlation between the amount of fluoride in your water and your loss of IQ."

Why It Matters

Kennedy has long advocated for the removal of fluoride from drinking water and some states have looked to remove it, including Florida and Oklahoma. While research has shown effects on brain development, some dental organizations have raised concerns that removing fluoride from drinking water will lead to poorer oral hygiene.

What To Know

Kennedy was speaking alongside Republican Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt about federal and state governments working together on health messaging, with the secretary saying Stitt was a template for what leadership on health at the state level should look like.

Fluoride in water is not federally mandated, but, until recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that it be added.

Numerous studies have showed that fluoridated water reduces the prevalence of cavities in children and adults, as the fluoride replaces minerals in tooth enamel that acid breaks down.

Fluoride was first added to tap water in 1945 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, after research showed that communities with naturally fluoridated water had significantly lower rates of dental cavities.

Studies in Grand Rapids confirmed a dramatic reduction in tooth decay among children, and in the subsequent years, fluoridated tap water spread across the U.S.

The amount of fluoride in tap water depends on local regulations and guidelines, but it is typically maintained at a concentration of 0.7 milligrams per liter in areas where fluoride is added.

What Has RFK Jr. Said About Fluoride in Drinking Water?

Scientists and medical experts have sharply criticized Kennedy's views, arguing that they are not backed by enough scientific evidence and could undermine public health initiatives to prevent tooth decay.

Kennedy repeated familiar messaging during his appearance on Fox News on Thursday, saying that fluoride was linked to thyroid issues, brain development and reduced bone density.

Before President Donald Trump returned to the White House, he said Kennedy would be his HHS secretary. Kennedy then began outlining his plans.

"On Jan. 20, the Trump White House will advise all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from public water," Kennedy posted on X, formerly Twitter, in November. He described fluoride as "an industrial waste" linked to a range of health concerns, including arthritis, thyroid disease and lower IQ in children.

After a move by the FDA in May to remove ingestible fluoride from drugs prescribed to children, Kennedy said in a press release that it was "long overdue."

"I'm grateful to Commissioner Makary for his leadership on this vital issue—one that directly safeguards the health and development of our children," he said. "This decision brings us one step closer to delivering on President Trump's promise to Make America Healthy Again."

Where is Fluoride Banned?

Florida and Utah have introduced full bans on fluoride in water, while others have introduced legislation for similar moves, including Nebraska, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Outside the U.S., much of Europe does not add fluoride to its drinking water, looking to prevent cavities through including the mineral in toothpaste.

What People Are Saying

Dr. Brett Kessler, the president of the American Dental Association, told Newsweek in a statement: "It is dangerous and cruel to make a public policy decision knowing that it will have a negative health impact. As President of the American Dental Association, I can attest that dental decay will increase if fluoride is removed from water. Yet some politicians still errantly believe a ban on fluoride will make our country healthier when the opposite is true. Good oral health is health, and it is essential.

"As dentists, we see the negative impact fluoride removal has on our patients. It is a real tragedy when policymakers' decisions hurt kids and adults in the long term. Blindly calling for a ban on fluoridated water will hurt people's health and cost them more money. Dentists do not want to see an increase in cavities across the country ¾ we care about our patients and the health of Americans."

The New York City Mayor's Office, on X on June 13: "Adding fluoride to drinking water has been proven safe and effective at preventing cavities. Water fluoridation has been shown to reduce tooth decay by 25% over a person's life."

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, in a press release in May: "The best way to prevent cavities in children is by avoiding excessive sugar intake and good dental hygiene, not by altering a child's microbiome. For the same reason that fluoride may kill bacteria on teeth, it may also kill intestinal bacteria important for a child's health."

What Happens Next

Kennedy said this was part of his wider Make America Healthy Again plan, which he says will hand Americans more choice over their health and health care options.

Update 6/26/25, 5:06 p.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from Dr. Brett Kessler, the president of the American Dental Association.