For years, local water authorities have considered the addition of low concentrations of fluoride to drinking water a public health achievement. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends it, citing evidence showing that fluoride prevents cavities in children — the No. 1 chronic disease in kids.

RFK Jr., a longtime anti-vaccine activist, to play a role in Trump administration and potentially influence how the FDA and CDC approach the lifesaving shots.

Now it’s being called out by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. —possibly on track to become head of health initiatives for the incoming presidential administration—as a practice that should be halted. He recently asserted that Donald Trump would push to remove fluoride from drinking water on his first day in office.

The CDC calls the practice of adding fluoride to tap water systems one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the last century.

Fluoride prevents cavities in a quarter of adults and children but excess and prolonged exposure can lead to health risks

On day one of Donald Trump's presidency, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he'll be advising Trump to take fluoride out of public water. The former presidential hopeful — and prominent proponent of debunked public health claims — has described fluoride as "industrial waste.