What Happened When Calgary Removed Fluoride from Its Water Supply
Ask students: Why did the U.S. decide to add fluoride to its drinking water? What are Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s arguments against fluoridated water?
Earlier this month, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced plans to end the federal recommendation that municipalities add fluoride to their drinking water. Amid the renewed debate, William Brangham spoke with Lindsay McLaren of the University of Calgary to discuss why that community removed fluoride from its water and why fluoridation started in the first place.
View the transcript of this story. News alternative: Check out recent segments from the News Hour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
Key Term
fluoride — a mineral sometimes added to water or toothpaste to help keep teeth healthy
Discusssion Questions
- When did the U.S. figure out that fluoride in water could help improve oral health?
- Why did the U.S. decide to add fluoride to its drinking water?
- What are Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s arguments against fluoridated water?
- Which other city was used in Professor Lindsay McLaren's study?
- How did removing fluoride from Calgary's drinking water affect its residents' oral health?
Focus Questions
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he plans to end the federal recommendation that municipalities add fluoride to their drinking water. Professor Lindsay McLaren says that communities that decide to remove fluoride should have a plan for what they intend to do for oral health instead.
- Why do you think there is such a difference in opinion between RFK Jr. and McLaren?
- What do you think could be alternative public methods for improving oral health?
- Media literacy: Who else would you like to see interviewed about the decision to add fluoride to drinking water?
Extension Activity
To learn more about what research actually says about fluoride in drinking water, watch this PBS Reactions episode here.
- What does the research covered in the video say about the association between exposure to high levels of fluoride and lower IQ levels?
- What conclusion does Alex Dainis come to about community water fluoridation?
Watch the video below to learn more about Robert F. Kennedy and his policy goals.
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Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.
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