USA running short - sensible opinion

Opinion
Fluoride mandate is not needed
A nationwide shortage of fluoride has left some local towns without any to treat their water. And that raises questions about the wisdom of a proposed state law that would mandate use of the chemical.
A bill before the Legislature would require communities of more than 5,000 people to add fluoride to their water. The chemical helps prevent tooth decay, particularly in children.
But the closing of the nation's main supplier and a similar mandate in California has made fluoride hard to find. Andover is out of the chemical. North Andover is near the end of its supply. If a statewide mandate is passed, where will towns find their fluoride?
A statewide fluoridation requirement is unnecessary. There are plenty of other sources of fluoride to keep children's teeth healthy. It's in toothpastes, mouthwashes, tablets, rinses and is readily available at the dentist. The Legislature should leave the law as it is and allow cities and towns to decide whether to fluoridate their drinking water.