Americans Trust the ADA Over RFK Jr. on Fluoride, New Survey Finds
A new national survey suggests the American Dental Association remains the public’s most trusted source of information on fluoride, highlighting the profession’s influential role in shaping oral health conversations.
As debates surrounding community water fluoridation continue to gain attention, a new national survey suggests that Americans place significantly greater trust in the American Dental Association (ADA) than in Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. when it comes to information about fluoride’s health effects.
The survey, conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania, included 1,639 United States adults and examined public perceptions of fluoride, community water fluoridation, and trusted sources of health information.
The findings indicate that nearly three-quarters of respondents expressed confidence in the ADA as a trustworthy source of information about fluoride in drinking water. In contrast, only about one-third reported confidence in Kennedy on the same topic. The survey also found that a majority of Americans lacked confidence in Kennedy’s fluoride-related messaging, while confidence in the ADA remained consistently strong.
The survey also explored public attitudes toward community water fluoridation. More Americans favored fluoridation than opposed it, although a substantial portion of respondents remained undecided. When asked specifically about fluoridating their own community’s water supply, support levels remained similar, suggesting that many Americans continue to view fluoridation as a beneficial public health measure.
Not surprisingly, opinions varied based on broader health and political perspectives. Individuals aligned with the Make America Healthy Again movement were more likely to oppose fluoridation and express confidence in Kennedy’s views. However, many of these respondents also indicated confidence in the ADA, highlighting the complex ways people evaluate health information. Click here to read more.
