EPA Announces Preliminary Plan for Fluoride Health Assessment
On January 22, 2026, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a notice entitled, Review of Science on Fluoride in Drinking Water: Preliminary Assessment Plan and Literature Survey, seeking public comment on its plan to develop a toxicity assessment that will review scientific information on the potential health risks of fluoride in drinking water. EPA’s toxicity assessment will be used to inform future decisions about potential revisions to the existing fluoride drinking water standard under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).
EPA’s press release can be found here. Comments on EPA’s notice are due by February 27, 2026.
Impact on General Dentistry: EPA’s review of fluoride science has implications for future drinking water standards that directly affect community water fluoridation. AGD remains committed to advocating for the use of fluoride as a safe and effective preventative measure against cavities and tooth decay.