ADA backs TEETH Act to reinforce evidence-based fluoride policy amid growing misinformation
The American Dental Association (ADA) has formally backed a new piece of federal legislation—the Protect Our TEETH Act—that calls for evidence-based research to guide oral health policy in the United States, especially concerning community water fluoridation.
ADA President Dr. Brett Kessler emphasized the critical importance of maintaining trust in scientific evidence:
“Recently, there has been a growing distrust of credible, time-tested, evidence-based science about the safety and need for water fluoridation programs.”
Introduced by Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), the Protect Our Treatment for Enamel, Erosion, and Tooth Health (TEETH) Act aims to ensure that future decisions on fluoridation policies are guided by peer-reviewed, high-quality scientific research. The Act also seeks to encourage states to partner with organizations like the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) for independent analysis and guidance.
Rising public skepticism prompts legislative response
The bill comes at a time when public discourse around fluoride safety has intensified, with anti-fluoridation campaigns—such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again (MAHA)” movement—gaining attention. Kennedy and other activists have claimed a link between fluoride exposure and developmental issues in children, including lowered IQ.
In response, communities in Utah and Florida have recently discontinued water fluoridation, prompting health leaders and scientists to raise alarms.
Dr. Kessler warned against falling prey to pseudoscience:
“NASEM can offer independent and objective advice on the actual evidence of fluoride safety and dispel myths that have gained recent popularity without merit.”
You may read: Removing fluoride could cost U.S. billions in dental care, new study warns
ADA underscores fluoride’s proven public health benefits
The ADA reaffirmed its longstanding support for community water fluoridation, citing over 80 years of consistent research that show its effectiveness in preventing tooth decay, particularly among underserved populations with limited access to dental care.
Since 1952, the ADA has published Fluoridation Facts, an evidence-based reference guide designed to address public concerns and technical queries. The guide, now available as an e-book, compiles authoritative, scientifically verified information on water fluoridation.
Dr. Kessler further stated that oral health decisions must be based on “objective science, not social media speculation.”
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