Media: The report contradicts the headline
RFK jr, however, was not DHS secretary when this occurred – from the story itself:
ER visits for tooth problems unrelated to physical injuries rose almost 60% nationally for children under 15 years old from 2019 to 2022, according to a report released late last year by CareQuest.
After that, they cite 3 anecdotal reports spanning 2010 to 2025, and blame it on RFK jr and questioning the use of fluoridated water. The report then blames Covid, increased sugar consumption, lack of emergency dental services in ER, cuts in Medicaid and more. Their featured anecdotal subject is a boy named “Jonah” – he was treated in May of 2022. Who was President in 2022?
The story is sourced to KFF, which is an advocacy organization for health and public health policy.
Interestingly, an overwhelmining majority of countries do not put fluoride in their water: Public health: Most countries do not add fluoride to drinking water – Coldstreams
Some areas also have naturally occurring fluoride in their drinking water and most toothpaste products now contain fluoride, which may limit the benefit of fluoridated water.