The American Dental Association and the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors are providing guidance for continuing oral health in communities amid potential sodium fluoride shortages.
Six things to know from a July 8 news release from the organizations:
1. There are three kinds of fluoride used to treat drinking water in communities to promote oral health: fluorosilicic acid, sodium fluoride or sodium fluorosilicate. Most communities use fluorosilicic acid, according to the CDC.
2. A number of states and water systems have reported fluoride shortages.
3. The shortages are expected to be temporary but could lead to a short-term suspension of community water fluoridation. Dr. Howard Pollick, a fluoridation consultant for the California's health department, said that the shortages were not a crisis.
4. Suspension of community water fluoridation should not lead to a permanent discontinuation of water fluoridation, the two groups agreed.
5. Collaboration between dental associations, health departments, oral health advocates and community members is necessary in response to shortages to maintain oral public health.
6. The ADA offers additional resources and advice on how to respond to shortages in its Fluoridation Facts e-book.