Opinion: Ignoring evidence-based science on fluoride could harm oral, overall health
Zeynep Tufekci, Ph.D., author and professor of sociology and public affairs at Princeton University, detailed the potential consequences of preventing communities from fluoridating their water and the long-term ramifications the move could have on the overall health of Americans.
In an opinion piece published in The New York Times, Dr. Tufekci noted that as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has already fought to end community water fluoridation as part of his Make America Healthy Again strategy. Since his confirmation, the movement against fluoride has gained traction, leading to the outright banning of the mineral’s addition to public drinking water in Utah, with similar efforts taking shape in other states.
If community water fluoridation is prohibited across large parts of the United States, Dr. Tufekci warned that children will experience more dental decay, social stigmatization, high medical costs and the lifelong repercussions of poor oral health — particularly among marginalized individuals residing in regions with minimal or no access to oral health care. Additionally, adults with dental issues could face an increased risk of chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr. Tufekci highlighted that fluoride is known to fortify tooth enamel and reduce the risk of bacterial infection. Despite recent evidence demonstrating its possible adverse effects in quantities far exceeding the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended upper limits in public drinking water, the mineral has proved effective at improving oral health across the country for more than 75 years.
Read more: The New York Times
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