SHREWSBURY— A nationwide shortage of fluoride has caused the town to temporarily discontinue placing it in the municipal water supply, a news release from the town’s Board of Health said yesterday.

The town added hydrofluosilicic acid to the water supply to help prevent tooth decay, the release said, and noted the addition of the fluoride was temporarily stopped yesterday.

“The fluoride shortage is due to increased demand and insufficient production capacity and various factors occurring throughout the industry,” the news release said. “The primary reason is the closure of one the industry’s largest providers of raw fluoride material, US Argichemicals, located in Florida.”

Another factor is a substantial demand for the fluoride in California and the “increased use of the product for non-water treatment application,” the news release said.

The town is looking for alternate sources of the fluoride, but has had limited success. It may take three months before the fluoride is available, the news release said.

“A short-term shortage should have little effect on dental health, as fluoride is readily available in most toothpaste and mouth washes and other related products,” the news release said. “If the shortage becomes a long-term problem, parents should consider purchasing fluoridated bottled water, using fluoride rinse for children six and up, or discussing the use of
fluoride pills with their dentist or pediatrician.”

Residents will be notified on the town’s Web site when the program resumes. Residents with questions can call the town’s Water Department at (508) 841-8506 or the town’s Board of Health at (508) 841-8512.

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