ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — As Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is calling for the prevention of fluoride in drinking water, the New York State Department of Health is defending it. Kennedy is calling for the CDC to stop fluoride from being put in water, calling it unneces sary and that toothpaste and mouthwash already contain a sufficient amount of fluoride. Dr. James McDonald is New York's State Health Commissioner. He says that adding fluoride to drinking water at low levels prevents tooth decay and cavities. He added that when fluoride is removed from water, tooth decay increases across the population. Federal officials endorsed water fluoridation in 1950 and set guidelines for how much should be added to water. Dr. McDonald says the US Public Health Service recommends a fluoride concentration of 0.7 parts per million in drinking water. Kennedy has called fluoride a "dangerous neurotoxin," but Dr. McDonald says the public should not be concerned. “The low levels of added fluoride that we recommend for water systems are optimal for the promotion of dental health and the protection of public health," Dr. McDonald says. " When water is fluoridated at those levels, there is no reason for concern about health risk. Water supply professionals continuously and carefully monitor these levels to ensure public safety.  Lawmakers are currently split on this issue. Some say Kennedy's position endangers public health, while others say this warrants further investigation. ...read more read less