A recent study published in Science Advances contradicts claims by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., finding no evidence that fluoride in drinking water affects children’s IQ. This research follows Utah and Florida’s implementation of statewide bans on fluoride, heightening national discourse on community water fluoridation.
Dr. Rob Warren, the study’s lead author, noted the importance of this inquiry due to its implications for public policy. The research team examined decades of data from the High School and Beyond cohort, a study by the National Center for Education Statistics that has tracked educational outcomes from 1980 to 2021.
The results showed that children exposed to recommended levels of fluoride performed slightly better academically in high school than those without sufficient fluoride exposure. Pediatrician Susan Fisher-Owens emphasized that these findings significantly contribute to existing research affirming the safety of water fluoridation and mark the first major U.S.-based study assessing its long-term cognitive effects.
In contrast to earlier reviews from the National Toxicology Program, which raised concerns about potential cognitive impacts at higher exposure levels, Warren’s analysis concentrated on regulated fluoride concentrations typically found in municipal systems, averaging 0.7 milligrams per liter.
As of November 2025, over 62 percent of Americans receive fluoridated water. This practice, which began 70 years ago, remains a vital public health strategy for reducing tooth decay. Researchers argue that the new findings further support the long-standing scientific consensus in favor of fluoridation at recommended levels.
Sources
• The Hill – MBFC Rating
• Science Advances – MBFC Rating
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