Development of small-scale water fluoridation equipment.

Abstract

A water fluoridation program launched in the United States in 1945 has become a worldwide application for caries prevention. Although such a program is important in Japan, water fluoridation in large communities has not been established. This study aimed to develop safe small-scale water fluoride equipment that can be easily used to carry out water fluoridation programs in areas with children in long-term care facilities, and in developing countries without water supply facilities. Batch-type NaF addition adjustment equipment was manufactured as small-scale water fluoride equipment. The fluoride concentration of the adjusted water with this equipment was measured using an ion meter and a fluoride composite electrode. All 51 water quality standards set by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare of Japan were tested. The fluoride ion concentration of the adjusted water was 0.7 mg/L and it was constant and stable. The adjusted water conformed to the water quality standard values of the Japanese Water Supply Law. Water produced with small-scale water fluoridation equipment had a fluoride concentration of 0.7 mg/L, which is the recommended concentration for caries prevention. The fluoride concentration was stable.