In a recent development that challenges prevailing narratives, a study published in Science Advances has debunked claims that fluoride in drinking water negatively impacts children’s IQ levels. This research stands in stark contrast to statements made by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, who had warned of potential cognitive harm based on findings from the National Toxicology Program.

The study’s conclusions arrive at a critical juncture, following the enactment of fluoride bans in public water supplies in states like Utah and Florida earlier this summer. These legislative moves were driven by concerns over the supposed cognitive risks associated with fluoride consumption.

Dr. Rob Warren, the principal investigator of the study, expressed the motivation behind this research, stating, “I wouldn’t have undertaken this study if it wasn’t a pressing empirical question lacking a definitive answer, especially given its significant policy implications.”

To arrive at their findings, Warren and his team analyzed data from the High School and Beyond study cohort, a comprehensive dataset compiled by the National Center for Education Statistics, covering the period from 1980 to 2021. This extensive analysis provided robust evidence against the perceived link between fluoride and reduced IQ, offering a fresh perspective on a topic of considerable public importance.

Warren and his colleagues examined information from people who were included in the High School and Beyond study cohort by the National Center for Education Statistics from 1980 to 2021.

The results showed children who grew up taking in recommended levels of fluoride achieved somewhat better academically in high school than kids never exposed to sufficient levels.

Susan Fisher-Owens, a pediatrician, called the study a “much-needed addition to a broad literature that shows the safety and benefits of community water fluoridation.”

“It is the first study that looks at this information in the United States, which makes it a stronger basis for making policy decisions,” Fisher-Owens said.

As of November 2025, more than 62% of the U.S. population receives fluoridated water, and most water systems contain 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water.

Fluoride was first added to drinking water in parts of the country 70 years ago to prevent tooth decay.