Talk of removing fluoride from drinking water nationally stirs up debate in Maine

KENNEBUNK (WGME) — President-Elect Donald Trump says Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s plan to remove fluoride from water is “OK with me.” 

The former Presidential candidate, known for advocating food safety but also occasional conspiracy theories, could have a public health role in the White House and has put getting rid of fluoridated water near the top of his list.

Voters in several communities served by the Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Wells Water District voted to remove fluoride from the water back in 2016. 

It was a controversial decision then and remains so today.

“There are two sides to the issue and the debate,” Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Wells Water District Superintendent Roger Paradis said.

Paradis wasn’t the area’s water district superintendent when the move was made to remove fluoride. He was working at the Portland Water District, which has had fluoridated water since 1997.

“There have been groups over time that have questioned it, and we used to receive some phone calls on it,” Paradis said.

“I think there’s a lot of misinformation about fluoride out there. We know that it can significantly improve people’s oral health and maybe even save lives,” University of New England Dental Hygiene Program Director Dianne Smallidge said. “The CDC has identified community water fluoridation as one of the top 10 greatest achievements in public health of all time.”

Smallidge says it’s proven to prevent tooth decay or cavities while saving money. 

“Drinking fluoridated water keeps teeth strong and reduces cavities by about 25 percent in children and adults,” Maine CDC Director Dr. Puthiery Va said.

While this has been done since the 1940s across America, Maine was a late adopter.

“It’s really important for our rural communities here in Maine, because it does indeed add that layer of prevention, especially in areas where access to oral health care is really difficult,” Va said.

But some people, like Kennedy, cite research claiming it leads to negative health impacts.

“It causes loss of IQ. It causes neurodevelopmental injuries in people and particularly children,” Kennedy said.

“The study so many people are talking about used levels of fluoride that are twice the recommended amount,” Smallidge said.

She says other studies have repeatedly shown fluoride is safe.

“The toothpastes are now adequate, and mouthwash is for getting fluoride. You don’t need it in the public water supply,” Kennedy said.

But Smallidge says it’s not the same thing. What’s in the water is more effective as teeth develop, not afterward.

“You can never replace that opportunity,” Smallidge said.

CBS13 Reporter Mal Meyer: “What would you say to parents who are concerned?”

Va: “Our Maine CDC here, we continue to monitor these things.”

The state’s Drinking Water Program works with communities to ensure fluoride levels are safe and follows the latest research.

“We continue to base our work on the science,” Va said.

Even if not deliberately put in, fluoride will stick around.

“It can be naturally occurring in groundwater and surface water sources, but usually at lower levels that are not beneficial to the medical community,” Paradis said.