Study shows rise in children’s cavities if US removed fluoride from water

Report finds US children would have extra 25.4m cavities in five years if plan backed by RFK Jr were implemented

A new study published in Jama Health Forum estimates that if the US were to remove fluoride from public drinking water supplies - as Donald Trump's health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has advocated - American children would suffer an additional 25.4m cavities in five years.

The additional cases represent a 7.5% increase in cavities, an added cost of $9.8bn and the loss of 2.9m quality-adjusted life years. Those cases would disproportionately be borne by children most at-risk for tooth decay - those on public health insurance or who lack insurance entirely.