Nebraska Dental Association leader has ‘serious concerns’ about RFK Jr.’s fluoride pushback

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Monday that he plans to tell the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to stop recommending fluoride in water supplies.

“Fluoride should not be in our water,” he said. “In the era of fluoride mouthwash and toothpaste, it makes no sense to have fluoride in our water.”

Kennedy also disputes the effectiveness of fluoridation.

“Now we know there is no systemic advantage and there’s zero systemic advantage and that the only advantage comes from topical application,” he said.

But experts said there’s a reason to keep adding fluoride.

According to the CDC, it reduces cavities in children and adults by about 25%.

“As a pediatric dentist that takes care of children, I have very serious concerns about what’s going to happen with an increase in tooth decay in Nebraska,” said Dr. Jessica Meeske, president of the Nebraska Dental Association.

The association said communities across the state, especially rural areas, benefit from water fluoridation.

“Particularly for those more vulnerable Nebraskans that may not have access to dental care, it helps them the most,” Meeske said. “It takes so little compliance. We drink the water, we cook with it, we mix it into the things.”

As Kennedy pushes to upend many established policies, experts warn that the science shouldn’t be left behind.

“We’re very firm that currently, because the science is so profound, we should stick with water fluoridation,” Meeske said.

If the CDC were to change its recommendation, it would still be up to state and local governments on whether to add fluoride to water.