Incoming US health department head, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., recently called for the removal of fluoride from drinking water. This has reignited the long-standing debate, with AMA Queensland urging local councils to reintroduce fluoride due to rising dental issues. Fluoride, a naturally occurring compound, has been added to public water supplies since 1945. Professor Oliver Jones, from RMIT University, supported the continued use of fluoride, explaining that it strengthens tooth enamel and helps prevent cavities. He argued that the fluoride levels used in water were too low to pose significant health risks, even when considering other sources such as toothpaste.
“Excessive fluoride can be harmful, but the amounts used in water fluoridation are safe,” said Professor Jones. He dismissed fears linking fluoride to conditions such as cancer or osteoporosis, citing decades of scientific research.
However, some, like those in Buffalo, New York, who removed fluoride in 2015, reported a rise in dental problems. Prof Jones said fluoride’s removal had led to a significant increase in dental issues, further demonstrating its benefits.
The professor also questioned the logic of those opposing fluoridation, emphasising that if fluoride were truly harmful, governments and politicians would not allow it in the water. While the debate continues, Prof Jones urged policymakers to base decisions on scientific evidence, ensuring public health remained the top priority.