Fluoride Levels In Water Supply Research Articles

Retrospective analysis of the fluoride level in the public water supply and its correlation with dental fluorosis at two cities of South Santa Catarina

Introduction and Objective: To analyze retrospectively the fluoride level in the public water supply of two cities of the south Santa Catarina and to verify whether 12-year-old schoolers, who had used public water supply had dental fluorosis. Material and methods: 97 schoolers of the cities of Cocal do Sul and Morro da Fumaça were evaluated. Dental fluorosis was determined through Dean index. The annual averages of the fluoride concentrations in waters between the years of 2004 and 2015 were verified by reports supplied by the responsiblecompany. Results: The averages of the fluoride concentrations in the water supply in the cities of Cocal do Sul and Morro da Fumaça, during the analyzed period, were 0.86 and 0,85 ppm of fluoride, respectively, without statistically significant difference. The smaller concentration was found in 2006, in the city of Morro da Fumaça, with 0.64 ppm of F; the greatest concentration occurred in Cocal do Sul, in 2007, with 1.1 ppm of F. The prevalence of dental fluorosisin Cocal do Sul was 24.5% and in Morro da Fumaça was 14.6%, without statistically significant differences. All 12-year-old schoolers who had dental fluorosis were classified as light according to Dean index. Conclusion: Most of the 12-year-old schoolers did not show any fluorosis degree. The cases of dental fluorosis were classified as little severity and with low esthetic impairment. It can be concluded that the fluoride levels in water supply were within the adequate and safe limits with low risk of dental fluorosis.

Retrospective analysis of the fluoride level in the public water supply and its correlation with dental fluorosis at two cities of South Santa Catarina

To analyze retrospectively the fluoride level in the public water supply of two cities of the south Santa Catarina and to verify whether 12-year-old schoolers, who had used public water supply had dental fluorosis. Material and methods: 97 schoolers of the cities of Cocal do Sul and Morro da Fumaça were evaluated. Dental fluorosis was determined through Dean index. The annual averages of the fluoride concentrations in waters between the years of 2004 and 2015 were verified by reports supplied by the responsible company. Results: The averages of the fluoride concentrations in the water supply in the cities of Cocal do Sul and Morro da Fumaça, during the analyzed period, were 0.86 and 0,85 ppm of fluoride, respectively, without statistically significant difference. The smaller concentration was found in 2006, in the city of Morro da Fumaça, with 0.64 ppm of F; the greatest concentration occurred in Cocal do Sul, in 2007, with 1.1 ppm of F. The prevalence of dental fluorosis in Cocal do Sul was 24.5% and in Morro da Fumaça was 14.6%, without statistically significant differences. All 12-year-old schoolers who had dental fluorosis were classified as light according to Dean index. Conclusion: Most of the 12-year-old schoolers did not show any fluorosis degree. The cases of dental fluorosis were classified as little severity and with low esthetic impairment. It can be concluded that the fluoride levels in water supply were within the adequate and safe limits with low risk of dental fluorosis.

Hair as biomarker of fluoride exposure in a fluoride endemic area and a low fluoridated area

Aim:The aim of the present study was to determine whether hair could be used as biomarker of fluoride exposure.Materials and Methods:The study was carried out on 30 people living in an endemically fluoridated area and a low fluoridated area. Samples of hair from the occipital were taken and subjected to fluoride analysis by a fluoride ion electrode.Results:Lower fluoride levels in water supplies correlated with lower levels of fluoride in hair and more over higher fluoride levels in water correlated with higher levels of fluoride in hair. A direct relationship was evident between fluoride levels in water supplies and concentration of fluoride in hair (P < 0.01).Conclusions:The results of the present study indicate hair can be used as an indicator of fluoride exposure.

Socio-demographic correlates of early childhood caries prevalence and severity in a developing country - South Africa

To describe Early Childhood Caries (ECC) severity in South Africa and examine the association between ECC and socio-demographic factors, area-based measures of sugar consumption and water fluoride levels. Children, aged 36-71 months, were examined during the 1999/2002 South African National Children's Oral Health Survey (n=5822). ECC severity was described using Wyne's ECC classification (adapted) and the Significant Caries Index (SIC). Socio-demographic factors, area-based fluoride levels in water supplies, and the area-based per capita sugar expenditure obtained from the 2000 Household Expenditure Survey were examined using bivariate and multivariate analyses. The mean population SiC was 7.6 and 32% presented with the severe forms of ECC. Increased per capita sugar expenditure and decreasing water fluoride levels, were significantly associated with an increased risk for any ECC, but was not significantly associated with the severe forms of ECC. Compared to blacks, being of mixed race and white were respectively associated with an increased and a decreased risk for ECC. Unemployment increased the risk for the severe forms of ECC. The study findings support the implementation of an integrated primary oral health care strategy in order to address the underlying socio-economic determinants of ECC in South Africa.

Dental fluorosis in children attending basic health units

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis among patients attending basic health units in Londrina. Five basic health units of the urban area were randomly selected and 434 children attending these units, born between 1986 and 1989 (9 to 12 years of age), were examined. Diagnosis of dental fluorosis was performed by means of the Thylstrup and Fejerskov (TF) Index. Oral examinations were carried out by 5 previously trained dentists with the patients lying in the dental chair, under artificial light, preceded by prophylaxis, isolation with cotton rolls and air-drying of the teeth. Ten percent of the sample was reexamined and an almost perfect agreement on diagnostic criteria was obtained either on the intra-examiner or inter-examiner evaluation (K=1.00, p<0.0001). The observed prevalence of dental fluorosis was 91.0%, and 87.8% of the individuals were classified as TF grade 2 or less. Despite of the low severity, the high prevalence observed shows the need for regular screening of dental fluorosis in Londrina; establishment of procedures to prevent the overutilization of fluoride both by the professionals and the population; sanitary surveillance of fluoride levels in water supply and also in all sources of fluoride available; besides the need for further studies to understand the factors associated to dental fluorosis among children living in Londrina.