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,

Some studies have said that excess fluoride exposure, often at higher levels than the recommended U.S. limit, can harm infants' and young children's developing brains and that higher levels of fluoride exposure during pregnancy were associated with declines in children's IQs.

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.

The agency with the ability to mandate changes on water fluoridation is not the one that Kennedy is set to lead.

President-elect Donald Trump has selected Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy has called for an end to the practice of putting fluoride in water.

The stock of a dental supply company jumped over 6% on Monday, driven by investor optimism over a potential rise in dental treatments if Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s plan to eliminate fluoride from drinking water succeeds.