The state’s top health official cited controversial studies that suggest the widely hailed public health practice poses a risk to developing brains.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has called for an end to the public health practice of putting fluoride in water. Why it matters: If he's confirmed as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services in the new Trump administration,

With President-elect Donald Trump in the White House, the 21st century may be another story. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom Trump has pledged to let “go wild” on public health under his administration, is an outspoken opponent of adding fluoride to drinking water. He intends to take action.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s goal of removing fluoride from the water supply faces challenges regardless of what role he plays on health care in the new Trump administration. Days before President-elect Trump’s election,

Days before the election, Kennedy posted on social media that a Trump White House would advise all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from the public water supply, which goes against public health recommendations yet jibes with a large number of people who question the safety of fluoridating water.

Arkansas lawmakers put forward proposed legislation on Wednesday which could end mandatory fluoride treatment of municipal drinking water in the state. In the early 20 th century, it was discovered that naturally occurring amounts of the mineral fluoride in certain well water prevented tooth decay.