CHICAGO, January 30, 2026 — The American Dental Association (ADA) remains committed to the oral health benefits of optimally fluoridated water. Good oral health depends on nutrition, proper hygiene, regular dental visits and optimally fluoridated water. Eighty years of evidence show community water fluoridation is safe, effective, and reduces tooth decay.
“As the EPA reviews the science under the Safe Drinking Water Act, we urge Administrator Zeldin and his team to implement an objective, evidence-based process utilizing all the latest peer-reviewed, valid and reproducible research on IQ and neurocognition to reach an objective conclusion,” said Richard Rosato, D.M.D., president of the American Dental Association. “The ADA and leading scientific experts continue to affirm that optimally fluoridated water is a proven, safe, and effective way to protect the public’s oral health.”
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin’s announcement to reconsider the health impacts of fluoride in drinking water with a review of new scientific information was initially encouraging for reaffirming a safe public health practice of fluoridating water. However, their exclusion of recently published studies that refute the claim that there is a negative association between fluoridated water and cognitive abilities jeopardizes the validity of the scientific methodology and ultimately their findings. Even worse, the inclusion of questionable studies that use invalid measurements and suspicious datasets will not provide an accurate assessment and will likely lead to a flawed conclusion.
“While this is the preliminary stage assessment, the ADA is hopeful that the EPA will use peer-reviewed, scientifically tested evidence rather than biased, mischaracterized studies that use flawed datasets and do not stand-up to scientific rigor during the next assessment phase,” says Dr. Rosato. “We look forward to continued dialogue with the Trump Administration and Administrator Zeldin on this important public health issue.”
Under discussion currently within the EPA is the procedure and process for developing a new report. Previously cited research during an ongoing lawsuit utilized weak evidence in the National Toxicology Program report and did not pertain to the practice of fluoridation in the U.S. and Canada at 0.7 mg/L. The NTP report also did not conclude with any certainty that water fluoridated at low levels is injurious to public health.
The ADA submitted written comments to the EPA last June 2025 and is planning to submit additional information this year. The ADA’s primary concern is the requirement that the EPA follow its own standard review protocols to prevent biased analysis. The EPA should also exclude research published in non-peer reviewed, outlets, and other research whose authors will not allow access to the data, methodology or findings to the entire scientific community of experts.
For more information on community water fluoridation and ADA advocacy, visit ADA.org/fluoride.