Amid Rise of RFK Jr., Officials Waver on Drinking Water Fluoridation — Even in the State Where It Started

Amid Rise of RFK Jr., Officials Waver on Drinking Water Fluoridation — Even in the State Where It Started As federal agencies review their guidance on fluoridation, state and local governments are pulling back on the practice, upending a decades-long public health success story. In Michigan, where Grand Rapids was the first city to add fluoride to its drinking water in 1945, officials are reevaluating the policy. The city's mayor, Rosalynn Bliss, said she is "open to exploring alternative methods" of promoting oral health. "We want to make sure we're doing what's best for our residents," she added. The shift comes as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent critic of fluoridation, gains traction in his campaign against the practice. Kennedy has argued that fluoride is an industrial waste product with unknown long-term effects on human health. His views have resonated with some local officials, who are now questioning the benefits of fluoridation. In Grand Rapids, where the practice was pioneered, residents are divided on the issue. Some, like 75-year-old retiree Jeanne Johnson, support fluoridation as a proven public health measure. "I remember when we first started adding fluoride to our water," she said. "It made a huge difference in kids' teeth." Others, however, share Kennedy's concerns about the safety of fluoride. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has long touted fluoridation as one of its greatest public health successes. However, in 2020, the CDC announced that it would review its guidance on the practice due to growing concerns about its safety. The agency is now considering new recommendations for communities considering fluoridation. In Michigan, several cities have already dropped or are debating whether to drop fluoridation. In Ann Arbor, a petition to end fluoridation gathered over 1,000 signatures in just a few weeks. "We want our water to be free of unnecessary chemicals," said Sarah Shaffer, a local activist who organized the petition. The shift away from fluoridation has left some public health experts worried about the potential consequences for oral health. "Fluoride is a proven tool for preventing tooth decay," said Dr. Mark Wolff, a dentist and professor at New York University College of Dentistry. "If communities start dropping fluoridation, we could see an increase in cavities and other oral health problems." As federal agencies continue to review their guidance on fluoridation, state and local governments will likely face increasing pressure to reconsider the practice. The debate is set to continue, with implications for public health policy and community decision-making. Background: Fluoridation was first introduced in Grand Rapids in 1945 as a way to prevent tooth decay. Since then, it has become a widespread practice across the United States, with over 75% of communities adding fluoride to their drinking water. However, concerns about its safety have grown in recent years, leading some officials and health experts to reevaluate the policy. Additional perspectives: Some critics argue that fluoridation is a form of mass medication, which raises concerns about informed consent and individual choice. Others point out that the benefits of fluoridation are not universally accepted, with some studies suggesting it may have negative effects on certain populations. Current status: Federal agencies continue to review their guidance on fluoridation, while state and local governments grapple with the implications for public health policy. As the debate continues, communities will need to weigh the potential benefits and risks of fluoridation in order to make informed decisions about their water supply. *Reporting by Propublica.*