U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to tell the CDC to stop recommending community water fluoridation, a decision that has some dental professionals at odds with the HHS.
The fluoridation debate dates back to the 1950s, but many in the field say it's a discussion that should not be happening.
"I hope whoever's left at CDC with any kind of sense has decided they're not going to follow his recommendation," Dr. Howard Pollick, UCSF School of Dentistry professor and fluoridation consultant, told KNX News' Nataly Tavidian.
He called Secretary Kennedy's plan simply a "bad recommendation" and said tooth decay would increase without fluoride in the water.
Want to get caught up on what's happening in SoCal every weekday afternoon? Click to follow The L.A. Local wherever you get podcasts.
On the opposing side of the argument are dentists like Dr. Mark Burhenne, who says he raised three daughters cavity-free without fluoride and has held this opinion for decades.
Dr. Burhenne advocates for the removal of fluoride from public drinking water, suggesting that this would allow municipalities to focus on improving overall water quality and address other potentially harmful chemicals.
"This allows us to have the real discussion of where cavities come from, and that is processed food, cereals," Burhenne said. "The same arguments and the same things you've seen heat up with the latest upheaval in questioning our food supply. It's the same thing for dentistry."
He also stresses the connection between oral and overall health, saying, "What happens in the mouth happens in the body."
The American Dental Association strongly supports community water fluoridation at optimal levels, saying it's safe and effective to prevent tooth decay in kids and adults.
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok