Assessment of the drinking water quality for planning endogenic prevention of dental caries

Abstract

Relevance. Dental caries is a leading dental disease in children. Aim – to study the quality of drinking water in Smolensk and its region to provide evidence for implementing dental caries preventive measures in children.Materials and methods. We took tap water samples from ten water intake points in seven districts of Smolensk and six Smolensk regions. An accredited testing laboratory of the Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology in the Smolensk Region carried out water chemical analysis. The study analyzed standard parameters of drinking water quality: pH 6.5-8.5, fluoride content 0.60-1.2 mg/l; water hardness 7.0-9.0 (Sanitary Regulations and Standards 2.1.4.1116-02). The parameter was considered normal if its 95% confidence interval was within the reference range.Results. In Smolensk, the hydrogen ion concentration in centralized drinking water supply systems is within normal limits and amounts to 7.39 (95% CI: 7.32-7.46; р < 0,05) pH units. The mean fluoride concentration in the Smolensk water is 0.19 (95% CI: 0.14-0.23; р < 0,05) mg/l, which is below the normal range. In most Smolensk districts, water hardness is within normal limits, 8.21 mmol/l (95% CI: 7.03-9.39; р < 0,05). However, the upper limit of the confidence interval of 9.39 mg/l and the maximum of 12.0 mg/l exceed the normal range. In the Smolensk region cities, the hydrogen ion concentration is 7.2 (95% CI: 7.02-7.38; р < 0,05) pH units in the centralized drinking water supply. The fluoride concentration in the Smolensk region water is 0.45 mg/l (95% CI: 0.23-0.68; р < 0,05), which demonstrates the fluoride deficiency in water. In the Smolensk region cities, mean water hardness is 6.66 mmol/l (95% CI: 6.00-7.03; р < 0,05), which is below the normal values. However, the CI upper limit of 7.03 mmol/l and the maximum of 7.05 mmol/l are within normal limits.Conclusions. The water of the centralized drinking water supply system in Smolensk and the Smolensk region is low in fluorides. Urgent community and individual preventive measures should be taken to expose children to fluoride.