KENNEBUNK (WGME) – President-elect Donald Trump says Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s plan to remove fluoride from water is ‘OK’.

The former presidential candidate, known for advocating food safety as well as the occasional conspiracy theory, could take on a public health role in the White House and has put getting rid of fluoridated water at the top of his list.

Voters in several communities served by the Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Wells Water District voted in 2016 to remove fluoride from the water.

That was a controversial decision then and it still is.

“There are two sides to the issue and the debate,” said Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Wells Water District Superintendent Roger Paradis.

Paradis was not the area water district superintendent when the move to remove fluoride was made. He worked at the Portland Water District, which has had fluoridated water since 1997.

“There have been groups over time that have questioned it, and we got some calls about it,” Paradis said.

“I think there’s a lot of misinformation out there about fluoride. We know it can significantly improve people’s oral health and maybe even save lives,” says Dianne Smallidge, dental hygiene program director at the University of New England. “The CDC has identified community water fluoridation as one of the ten greatest public health achievements of all time.”

Smallidge says it’s proven to prevent tooth decay or cavities while saving money.

“Drinking fluoridated water keeps teeth strong and reduces cavities by about 25 percent in children and adults,” said Maine CDC Director Dr. Puthiery Va.

Although this has been done across America since the 1940s, Maine was a late adopter.

“It’s very important for our rural communities here in Maine because it does add that layer of prevention, especially in areas where access to oral care is very difficult,” Va said.

But some people, like Kennedy, cite research that claims it leads to negative health consequences.

“It causes loss of IQ. It causes neurological injuries in people and especially in children,” Kennedy said.

“The survey shows that so many people are talking about the amounts of fluoride used being twice the recommended amount,” Smallidge said.

She says other studies have repeatedly shown that fluoride is safe.

“The toothpastes are sufficient now, and mouthwashes are designed to ingest fluoride. You don’t need it in the public water supply,” Kennedy said.

But Smallidge says it’s not the same. What’s in the water is more effective as the teeth develop, not afterwards.

“You can never replace that opportunity,” Smallidge said.

CBS13 reporter Mal Meyer: “What would you say to parents who are concerned?”

Va: “Our Maine CDC here, we’ll continue to monitor these things.”

The state’s Drinking Water Program works with communities to ensure fluoride levels are safe and follows the latest research.

“We continue to base our work on science,” Va said.

Even if not applied intentionally, fluoride remains.

“It can occur naturally in groundwater and surface water sources, but usually at lower levels that are not beneficial to the medical community,” Paradis said.