Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. admitted Thursday there will “probably” be more cavities if fluoride is removed from water.

Kennedy on Thursday was joined by Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt during an appearance on Fox News’ The Faulkner Focus. The two recently announced the launch of “Make Oklahoma Healthy Again,” a companion campaign to Kennedy’s “Make American Healthy Again” (MAHA) campaign with the Department of Health and Human Services.

In his quest to improve nationwide health, Kennedy has taken a particular interest in fluoride. Although experts agree that the benefits of the mineral — namely the prevention of tooth decay — far outweigh any health risks, Kennedy has repeatedly cited a study that concluded there was a link between fluoride exposure and lower IQ in children.

Critics of Kennedy’s anti-fluoride crusade have argued that eliminating fluoride could put the health of children at risk. He confirmed that suspicion on Fox:

Well, people will still get indemnified for it to the extent that they’re already indemnified. But, you know, it is an issue, it’s a balance. You’re gonna see probably slightly more cavities — although in Europe, where they banned fluoride, they did not see an uptick in cavities. The issue is, parents need to decide because the science is very clear on fluoride. The National Toxicity Program issued a report of a meta-review of all the science on it in August that said there’s a direct inverse correlation between the amount of fluoride in your water and your loss of IQ.

That study has faced scrutiny within the scientific community. As noted in a report from CBS News, the conclusion drawn between fluoride and low IQ was based on “studies involving fluoride levels at about twice the recommended limit for drinking water.”

Watch above via Fox News

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. traveled to Oklahoma on Thursday to help Gov. Kevin Stitt roll out a “Make Oklahoma Healthy Again” campaign.

It’s the latest example of a conservative state embracing Kennedy’s MAHA platform. Kennedy has traveled around the country to tout initiatives like restrictions on artificial dyes, processed foods and fluoridated water.

“Oklahoma is 47th in health in the United States, and that’s not a good thing,” Kennedy said to the crowd.

The new initiative targets chronic illness and diet-related disease in Oklahoma through SNAP reform, food policy changes, and personal health responsibility

By: Drake Johnson, Christian Hans

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Health and Human Services Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is at the Oklahoma State Capitol on Thursday to commence the rollout of a new state health initiative, according to state leaders.

You may watch the full news conference below:

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt announced the rollout in a release on Wednesday, saying he will join the HHS secretary for a news conference to kickstart the “Make Oklahoma Healthy Again” campaign.

Stitt said the campaign will promote “common-sense health policies, medical freedom, and a return to personal responsibility.”

Kennedy has previously made decisions impacting Oklahomans, including the decision to ban red dye No. 3, which was made through the Food and Drug Administration.

QUICK TAKEAWAYS:

Oklahoma Launches “Make Oklahoma Healthy Again”

Gov. Kevin Stitt and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. launched a health initiative aimed at tackling chronic illness and promoting personal responsibility for health in Oklahoma.

“Oklahoma is 47th in health in the United States… and that’s not a good thing,” RFK Jr. said.

Chronic Disease Called a “National Emergency”

RFK Jr drew attention to chronic conditions in children and adults, pointing to ultra-processed foods as a key cause.

“When my uncle was president… 3% of Americans had chronic disease. Today, 60% do,” RFK Jr. said.

“We are mass poisoning them. We are doing this to them.”

Executive Orders and SNAP Reform

Gov. Stitt announced major state policy changes:

Oklahoma has submitted a SNAP waiver to remove soda, candy, and confections from state-purchased food lists. An executive order instructs: State health officials to stop recommending fluoride in water. All state-funded meals (including schools and prisons) to discontinue use of artificial dyes.

“This is pretty common sense,” Stitt said. “Our tax dollars are not going to continue to fund foods that are making people sick.”

Link Between Food and Mental Health

RFK Jr. shared how diet affects not only physical but mental health, citing studies from correctional facilities showing dramatic drops in violence and suicide after dietary improvements.

“Food is poisoning not only our health, but our mental health.”

The Call for Personal Responsibility

RFK Jr. and Stitt both stressed a grassroots approach to health:

“The real changes have to come from individual Americans taking responsibility for their health,” RFK Jr. said.

“We want to make sure that Oklahoma is leading the way,” Stitt added.

RELATED: FDA’s red dye No. 3 Ban sparks health concerns and action

SEE ALSO: Oklahoma Lawmakers to discuss food dye ban Monday in Senate Bill 4 hearing

POLITICS

RFK Jr. and Gov. Stitt launch ‘Make Oklahoma Healthy Again’ at Capitol: See photos

Gov. Kevin Stitt sits beside U.S. Health and Human Services Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after signing an executive order to launch his “Make Oklahoma Healthy Again” campaign at the state Captiol in Oklahoma City, Thursday, June 26, 2025. BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN

People hold signs as Gov. Kevin Stitt speaks along with U.S. Health and Human Services Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during a press conference at the state Capitol to sign an executive order launching the “Make Oklahoma Healthy Again” campaign in Oklahoma City, Thursday, June 26, 2025. BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN

Gov. Kevin Stitt speaks beside U.S. Health and Human Services Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after signing an executive order to launch his “Make Oklahoma Healthy Again” campaign at the state Captiol in Oklahoma City, Thursday, June 26, 2025. BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN

U.S. Health and Human Services Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks at the Capitol before Gov. Kevin Stitt signed an executive order launching the “Make Oklahoma Healthy Again” campaign at the in Oklahoma City, Thursday, June 26, 2025. BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN

A woman holds signs as Gov. Kevin Stitt speaks along with U.S. Health and Human Services Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during a press conference at the state Capitol to sign an executive order launching the “Make Oklahoma Healthy Again” campaign in Oklahoma City, Thursday, June 26, 2025. BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN

U.S. Health and Human Services Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks at the Capitol before Gov. Kevin Stitt signed an executive order launching the “Make Oklahoma Healthy Again” campaign at the in Oklahoma City, Thursday, June 26, 2025. BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN

People holds signs in opposition as U.S. Health and Human Services Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks along with Gov. Kevin Stitt as they launch the “Make Oklahoma Healthy Again” campaign at the state Captiol in Oklahoma City, Thursday, June 26, 2025. BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN

Gov. Kevin Stitt speaks beside U.S. Health and Human Services Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after signing an executive order launching the “Make Oklahoma Healthy Again” campaign at the state Captiol in Oklahoma City, Thursday, June 26, 2025. BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN

Gov. Kevin Stitt speaks beside U.S. Health and Human Services Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after signing an executive order launching the “Make Oklahoma Healthy Again” campaign at the state Captiol in Oklahoma City, Thursday, June 26, 2025. BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN

U.S. Health and Human Services Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. answers questions at the Capitol after Gov. Kevin Stitt signed an executive order launching the “Make Oklahoma Healthy Again” campaign at the in Oklahoma City, Thursday, June 26, 2025. BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN

Oklahoma will stop recommending fluoride in public water systems as part of the “Make Oklahoma Healthy Again” initiative.

Gov. Kevin Stitt signed an executive order ending state health department promotion of fluoridation.

The executive order also targets artificial food coloring in government food programs.

Oklahoma will no longer recommend fluoride in local water systems as part of Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt’s new “Make Oklahoma Healthy Again” initiative, a move that received immediate pushback from physicians.

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. joined Stitt in announcing the details of the new campaign at a news conference on Thursday, June 26. Stitt signed an executive order at the event that requires the Oklahoma State Department of Health to immediately stop promoting or endorsing fluoridation as a way to prevent childhood tooth decay until new recommendations from a Stitt-created panel can be developed.

The governor also ordered the removal of artificial food coloring in government-funded food programs and said he had asked federal officials to allow the state to block SNAP benefits from covering soda, candy and other sugary confections.

The new state initiatives mirror recent stances from Kennedy, who recently said fluoride is making Americans “stupider.” The health secretary also announced in April that eight artificial food dyes would be cut from the nation’s food supply.

Stitt and Kennedy grabbed three children to surround the governor as he signed the executive order during the press conference at the Oklahoma Capitol. Kennedy said during the event that Oklahomans were fortunate to have a governor like Stitt.

Over a dozen supporters stood behind Stitt and Kennedy with signs that read “Thank you Gov. Stitt,” and “Freedom grows here.” One man began an enthusiastic “U.S.A.” chant among the crowd.

The conference in the Capitol rotunda also drew several onlookers and many critics of Republican-backed policies, including many who held signs reading “Protect Medicaid” and “Support Education.”

Medical professionals criticize removing fluoride recommendation

The governor said cities and water districts can still choose whether or not to add fluoride to their water supply. But the state Health Department, an executive agency, would no longer recommend it.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral in water and many foods that strengthens tooth enamel and reduces the risk of cavities, according to the Cleveland Clinic, a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center.

Dr. Jennifer Collins, a family medicine physician at the SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital-Oklahoma City, attended the news conference and criticized Stitt’s call to stop recommending its use.

“The data is so strong in support of fluoride in the water and the way in which we do it in this country, as well as the other countries that have implemented that,” Collins said.

The American Dental Association backs fluoridation and reaffirmed its support for it in April after Kennedy said he’d tell the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to stop recommending cities and states from adding fluoride to public water systems.

“As dentists, we see the direct consequences fluoride removal has on our patients and it’s a real tragedy when policymakers’ decisions hurt vulnerable kids and adults in the long term,” association President Dr. Brett Kessler said in a news release. “Blindly calling for a ban on fluoridated water hurts people, costs money, and will ultimately harm our economy.”

Utah became the first state to prohibit the addition of fluoride in the state’s water supply after Republican Gov. Spencer Cox signed new legislation that went into effect in May.

Kennedy pointed out that Oklahoma is ranked 47th in health and well-being, and Stitt reiterated his push to make the state a “Top 10 state,” but neither specified how stopping the use of fluoride in public water supplies would move the needle.

Removing fluoride from public water systems will hurt Oklahomans who don’t have access to dentists and obtain fluoride treatments, Collins told The Oklahoman.

“People without resources are the ones who are going to suffer,” she added.

Dr. Twana Duncan, president of the Oklahoma Dental Association, said in a news release that her organization supports community water fluoridation as the single most effective public health measure to prevent tooth decay.

‘Make Oklahoma Healthy Again’ also targets artificial food coloring

Stitt also ordered state agencies to eliminate artificial food coloring in government-funded food programs, including summer meal programs and meals served at state correctional facilities.

Kennedy said during the news conference that the federal government should not be paying for Americans to consume candy and sugary drinks.

“You’re poisoning the American people,” he said. “Now, American children are having an obesity crisis.”

Targeting sugary drinks is not an inappropriate step for public officials to take, but neither Stitt nor Kennedy addressed how they would ensure people receiving SNAP benefits have access to healthier foods, said Dr. Steven Crawford, who chairs the Oklahoma Alliance for Healthy Families.

“I didn’t hear that they were going to increase funding for children getting adequate nutrition, particularly during the summer, but throughout the year,” Crawford, a family medicine doctor with OU Health, said after the news conference. “I think getting adequate nutrition for children is critical to our long-term health.”

During his remarks, Kennedy repeatedly criticized the nation’s food supply as the reason children and adults are becoming sicker. He pointed to increased autism rates and decreased fertility rates, without citing medical evidence behind those trends.

“We have to do something different,” he said. “I came into this campaign saying, ‘We’ve got to do something.’”

Stitt said he would establish a MOHA Advisory Council to advise and make recommendations on policies and programs related to the MOHA initiative without additional taxpayer funding. Instead, the state Health Department is supposed to use existing state funding, pursue federal grants and rely on philanthropic support.

Dr. Sumit Nanda, president of the Oklahoma State Medical Association, said his advocacy organization representing physicians and medical students agreed that Oklahoma’s health needs must be addressed, but doing so doesn’t require “Washington slogans.”

“If we truly want to make Oklahoma healthy, Oklahoma’s health community is here, and we’re ready for a serious conversation with Gov. Stitt on the best way to do that,” Nanda said in a statement sent to news organizations. “Washington’s political theatre should stay in Washington.”

Nanda’s group, along with the Oklahoma Academy of Family Physicians, instead suggested five “practical ways to make Oklahoma healthy,” including investing in health care infrastructure and education, educating Oklahomans about preventative care, restoring federal funding cuts to health care, stopping “insurance company overreach,” and ensuring Medicaid is fully funded.

“Oklahoma’s health crisis won’t be solved without bold, sustained investment in primary care,” said Dr. Rachel Franklin, president of the Oklahoma Academy of Family Physicians. “We need more primary care physicians in our communities, targeted programs that improve health outcomes and a system that trains and keeps doctors where they’re needed most.”

(This story was updated to add new information.)