Republicans are supporting RFK Jr.

“From what I have read and for what I understand, it deserves a real evaluation,” Johnson told journalists at a Capitol Hill Press conference. “There is concern that it can have a negative effect on children’s health.”

He admitted that he does not know much about this issue, but continued to say: “Obviously, we have the obligation at the level of the federal government to investigate that.”

“I don’t have the answers,” Johnson continued. “But I think it is one that the question has been begged and must be addressed.”

The comments of the Louisiana Republican occur one day after Kennedy said he plans to direct the centers for disease control and prevention to Stop recommending that communities put fluoride in their drinking water. It also plans to establish a working group to examine the problem.

Except that none of this is aligned with what medical experts say, Which is that fluoride in drinking water is safe at the appropriate levels and is good for its health, since it prevents caries, decay and other health problems. In fact, it is considered the addition of low levels of fluoride to drinking water One of the greatest public health achievements of the last century.

“The growing distrust of credible science, proven by time and based on evidence is discouraging,” said Dr. Brett Kessler, president of the American Dental Association, in a statement.

“The myths that fluorinated water are harmful and is no longer necessary to prevent dental disease is problematic and reminds me of the fictitious plots of old films such as ‘Dr. Strangelove’,” Kessler said. “When government officials, such as Secretary Kennedy, support the comment of erroneous information and distrust of peer review, is harmful to public health.”

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Drinking water is the main source of fluoride for two thirds of Americans. But some Republicans have decided that it is dangerous, although it is considered safe and effective for decades, and want to get out of their water. Last month, Utah became the first state to prohibit fluoride in their public drinking water, ignoring medical experts who have warned that doing this will lead to medical problems that disproportionately harm low -income communities.

Kennedy, who cannot use their position to make communities stop putting fluoride in the water, but can lead to the CDCs to stop recommending it, applauded Utah for their change in policy.

“I am very, very proud of this state for being the first state to ban it,” he told Salt Lake City on Monday. “And I hope many more do it.”

Kennedy, who is known for disseminating dangerous misinformation about vaccines, is already under fire due to a measles outbreak in Texas. Apparently, he now has the view of attacking the benefits of fluoride, a mineral that is known as a “dangerous neurotoxin” and associated with arthritis, bone breaks and thyroid disease.

He is not wrong that the highest fluoride doses of what they recommend could damage people. But there is no scientific basis to affirm that drinking water with appropriate levels of fluoride is detrimental to children or anyone.

Recently as December 2024, a study by the University of Queensland found no measurable effect on cognitive neurological development or CI scores in children in drinking water that had fluoride levels comparable to those of the United States.

Kennedy’s irony stating without foundation that fluorinated water could damage children is that taking out the potable water fluoride will lead to a beak in tooth decay among children, said Dr. Bruce Dye, president of the Department of Community Dentistry and Health of the population in the Anschutz Medical Campus of the University of Colorado.

“This increase will be more notable in children over time, particularly among children living in or close to poverty,” he said. “We would also expect to see an increase in the poorest dental health results in many rural areas given the existing dental health challenges that many rural communities already experience.”

And because eliminating the potable water fluoride would affect more people who live in or close to poverty, Dye said it would probably lead to an increase in Medicaid expenses for vulnerable groups, including children.

“If the CDC mission is to provide science -based guidance to the American people who advance our health and well -being, then the existing science continues to support that adding fluoride to the water at the recommended levels is safe and provides important benefits for dental health, especially with the help to prevent dental caries,” said Dye.

What happened in Calgary, Canada, is a good proof case of what happens when it takes the appropriate levels of drinking water fluoride. The City Council voted to eliminate it from the city’s water supply in 2011, only to restore it 10 years later. Because? The cavities rate of people and tooth decay “increased significantly,” according to the city council member, Gian-Carlo Carra, while other studies in that period showed the “significant benefits” of fluoride.

“If we want to do what is really healthy for all Americans, those in charge of formulating policies must review relevant research with flow levels similar to our country, such as Australia, which demonstrates that fluoride does not negatively affect CI levels,” Kessler said. “The ADA is based on evidence -based research to improve the oral health of the public and is ready to advance in gold medal standards in any future study on water fluoration.”

Not all Republicans in Capitol Hill are giving credibility to Kennedy attacks against science. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Who is a doctor, said Tuesday that he meets the medical community in support of having fluoride in drinking water.

“The American Dental Association recommends strongly fluoride. He says he will decrease cavities of up to 25% in some populations, “said Cassidy.” Speak for himself. ”

When News said that Kennedy thinks the opposite of what experts think, the Republican senator, who voted to confirm Kennedy in his current position, simply said: “People who take care of their teeth recommend it strongly.”

Igor Bobic contributed reports.