RFK Jr. wants to stop putting fluoride in drinking water. Here's what scientists say

On day one of Donald Trump's presidency, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he'll be advising Trump to take fluoride out of public water. The former independent presidential hopeful — and prominent proponent of debunked public health claims — has been told he'll be put in charge of health initiatives in the new Trump administration. He's described fluoride as "industrial waste."   

Here's what scientists say, and what we know about fluoride in drinking water in Canada. 

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral, released from rocks into the soil, water and air.

It's commonly used in dentistry to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities.

In many parts of the world, including Canada, public health authorities or local governments add it to the drinking water supply to help prevent tooth decay in the community. 

Major public health bodies around the world, including the World Health Organization and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) support the practice. PHAC says fluoridation is associated with an approximate 25 per cent reduction in tooth decay in children and adults. In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention named it one of the great public health achievements of the 20th century. 

In Canada, 38.8 per cent of the population has access to fluoridated water, according to PHAC. Access varies across provinces and territories, based on several factors like cost, infrastructure and community concerns. 

But some have questioned the practice: from a debunked conspiracy theory of a communist plot in the 1950s, to whether fluoridation is effective enough to justify the costs.

Many of the concerns — including those raised by Kennedy during the run-up to the U.S. election — are not based on good science, says Gerry Uswak, the director of the dental therapy program at the University of Saskatchewan.

"People who are non-scientists are interpreting scientific data and making policy decisions based on emotion, not on objectivity," he said.

Ingesting too much fluoride over a long period of time can lead to skeletal fluorosis, a bone disease that can cause bone pain and deformities. The condition is extremely rare in Canada, because health authorities adjust fluoride levels in water to keep it safe.

Another mild risk for children according to Health Canada is dental fluorosis. Children who ingest more fluoride than recommended (such as by swallowing toothpaste) can develop white spots on the surface of their teeth, but there are no other symptoms or harms associated with this condition.

Aaron Burry, the CEO of the Canadian Dental Association, says he's open to changing his recommendation on water fluoridation if the science warrants it. But right now, he isn't convinced the risk outweighs the benefits.

"We review all of the research that comes out every year. And to date, we haven't seen something that … is a cause for concern," he said.