External control of water fluoridation in a small municipality of northeast of Brazil

Abstract Introduction Fluoridation of public water supply is an important measure in the prevention of dental caries. Objective This study aimed to monitor the fluoride (F) concentrations of a public water supply with water fluoridation program in a small municipality in the Northeast region of Brazil. Material and method It is a quantitative study with a descriptive approach. Three points of the urban area were selected for collecting water samples twice a month for 12 months. The average of F concentrations was calculated considering these three samples of each collection point at the same occasion. F concentrations in the water samples were determined by potentiometry and the results were classified according to the criterion proposed by criterion set down by Collaborating Center of the Brazilian Ministry of Health for Oral Health Surveillance. The samples were classified according to the best risk-benefit adjustment (0.55 – 0.84 mg F /L). Result Less than 10% of the samples were within the ideal range. Conclusion It was observed that water fluoridation in this municipality was interrupted since many water samples showed f-levels below the minimal acceptable values.

【摘要】公共供水氟化是预防龋齿的重要手段。
研究目的：本研究旨在监测巴西东北部某小型实施饮水氟化项目的公共供水的氟（Fluoride）浓度。
材料与方法：本研究为描述性定量研究。在城区选取3个采样点位，于12个月周期内每月采集两次水样。每次采样时，取同一采样点位的3份平行水样计算氟浓度平均值。采用电位分析法测定水样中的氟浓度，并依据巴西卫生部口腔健康监测合作中心制定的判定标准对结果进行分类，以最优风险收益比区间（0.55–0.84 mg F/L）作为分类依据。
研究结果：仅有不足10%的水样处于理想浓度区间内。
结论：本研究发现该市政区域的饮水氟化项目已中断，因多数水样的氟浓度低于可接受的最低限值。