The use of fluoride involves a balance between the protective effect against caries and the risk of having fluorosis. Fluorosis in Australian children was highly prevalent in the early 1990s. Policy initiatives were introduced to control fluoride exposure so as to reduce the prevalence of fluorosis. Objective: The study aimed of describing the prevalence, severity and risk factors for fluorosis, and to escribe the trend of fluorosis among South Australian children. The study also aimed of exploring the effect of the change in fluoride exposure on dental fluorosis and caries. Methods This research project was nested in a larger population-based study, the Child Oral Health Study (COHS) in Australia 2002-2005. The parent study's sample was chosen using a multistage, stratified random selection with probability of selection proportional to population size. Fluoride exposure history was retrospectively collected by a parental questionnaire. This nested study sample (n=1401) was selected from the pool of South Australian (SA) COHS participants. Children were selected by year of birth to form three birth cohorts: those born in 1989/90; 1991/92; and 1993/94. Children were approached in two further stages: a dental health perception questionnaire, and a clinical examination for fluorosis. Some 898 children took part in the first stage. Among those, one trained dentist examined 677 children for fluorosis under clinic conditions using two indices (the Fluorosis Risk Index (Pendrys, 1990) and the TF Index (Thylstrup and Fejerskov, 1978)). The Dental Aesthetic Index score (DAI) was also recorded. Caries experience extracted from dental records of all previous visits to school dental linics was used to enable calculation of dmfs/DMFS scores at different anchor ages. Data were re-weighted age and sex to represent the South Australian child population. Per cent lifetime exposure to fluoride in water and patterns of discretionary fluoride use were calculated. Fluorosis data were used to calculate the prevalence and severity of fluorosis. Caries dmfs/DMFS scores were calculated at different anchor ages to enable comparison between birth cohorts. Results A higher proportion of children in the later birth cohorts used low concentration fluoride toothpaste, and a smaller amount of toothpaste was used when they commenced toothbrushing. There was a significant decline in the prevalence of fluorosis across the three successive birth cohorts. Risk factors for fluorosis, defined by the two indices, were use of standard fluoride toothpaste, an eating and/or licking toothpaste habit, and exposure to fluoridated water. Means (SD) of the deciduous caries dmfs scores at age six and eight were 1.45 (3.11) and 2.46 (3.93) respectively. Evaluation of the "trade-off" between fluorosis and caries with fluoride exposure indicated that the use of low concentration fluoride toothpaste and preventing an eating/licking of toothpaste habit could reduce the prevalence of fluorosis without a significant increase in caries experience. Conclusion There was a marked decline in the prevalence of fluorosis across the three successive birth cohorts. The decline was linked with the reduction in exposure to fluoride. Exposure to fluoridated water and several components of toothpaste use were risk factors for fluorosis. Establishing an appropriate use of fluoride toothpaste could be successful in reducing fluorosis without a significant increase in caries experience. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Dental School, 2004.

A importância da fluoretação da água de abastecimento público na prevenção da cárie dentária é reconhecida e exaustivamente estudada desde 1945. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi o de avaliar a concentração de flúor presente na água de abastecimento público de Bauru, SP, antes e depois do processo de fluoretação. Para tanto estabeleceu-se um protocolo para a coleta de amostras de água durante três dias de uma semana, a cada três meses, durante as quatro estações do ano. As amostras foram coletas na ETA e nos 27 poços que abastecem a cidade, antes e depois da fluoretação, e em 63 pontos (residências) estabelecidos a partir do mapa onde estão definidos os 19 setores de abastecimento, com a finalidade de coletar amostras em toda a extensão da rede. A análise das amostras foi realizada em duplicata, utilizando-se o eletrodo íon-sensível (Orion 9609), acoplado ao potenciômetro (Procyon, modelo 720), adicionando 1 mL de TISAB II a 1 mL da amostra. A checagem dos resultados da análise das amostras de água foi feita através de nova leitura de 10% das amostras e com uma reprodutibilidade mínima estabelecida em 90%. Não foram observadas variações na concentração do flúor naturalmente presente na água em função da sazonalidade de cada uma das estações do ano. A concentração, das 318 amostras analisadas, variou entre 0,05 e 0,15 mg F/L. Entretanto, a média das concentrações de flúor verificadas nas 297 amostras obtidas na ETA e nos poços após a fluoretação variou entre 0,26 e 6,23 mg F/L e das 697 amostras das residências, entre 0,10 e 0,91 mg F/L. A concentração de flúor presente na água de abastecimento público de Bauru, antes da fluoretação, mostrou-se constante, diferente daquela verificada após a fluoretação, que apresentou grandes oscilações na sua concentração de flúor, indicando que o sistema de abastecimento de Bauru não mantém constantes os níveis de flúor na água. / The importance of public water fluoridation for the prevention of dental caries has been scientifically recognized. The aim of this study was to evaluate the fluoride concentration of the public water supply of Bauru, SP, before and after the fluoridation, in different seasons. It was established a protocol for collecting water samples during 3 days in a week, every 3 months. Samples were collected at the Water Treatment Station and in 27 wells that supply the city, before and after fluoridation. In addition, samples were also collected in 63 points (houses), which were selected from a city map, corresponding to the 19 sections of supply, in order to represent all the distribution system. Samples were analyzed in duplicates, using an ion-sensitive electrode (Orion 9609), coupled to a potentiometer (Procyon, model SA 720), by adding 1 mL of TISAB to 1 mL of the water sample. Repeatability was checked in 10% of the samples and was higher than 90%. No differences in the natural fluoride concentration in water were observed in the four different seasons. However mean fluoride concentrations found in the 297 samples collected in the Water Treatment Station and in the wells after fluoridation varied between 0.26 and 6.23 mg F/L. For the 697 samples collected in the houses, the ranged was from 0.10 to 0.91 mg F/L. Natural fluoride concentration in the water before fluoridation was constant, differently from fluoride concentration in the public water supply after fluoridation, which spanned a wide range. This indicates that the system of supply of Bauru does not maintain constant water fluoride levels.

M.Sc. (Chemistry) / Water purification technologies based on membranes are prone to fouling by natural organic matter (NOM) and other biological species in water. This leads to the short lifespan of the membranes and high demand in energy than normal due to high pressure needed to pump water across the fouled membrane. In a quest to address these challenges, polyethersulfone (PES) and polyvinylidene flouride (PVDF) membranes supported on 3 different types of non-woven fabrics NWF1(polyester), NWF2 (polyphenylene sulphide) and NWF3( thicker polyester) were fabricated using the phase inversion method. This enabled the modification the active top layer of PES and PVDF thin film while maintaining the high mechanical strength offered by the NWFs. FTIR spectroscopy, sessile drop contact angle measurements, thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to study the membranes. The membrane flux and rejection were studied using the cross-flow membrane unit. The contact angle results revealed that the hydrophilicity of PES and PVDF membranes increased as the polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) concentration was increased. TGA revealed that the PES and PVDF membranes were thermally stable up to 580ºC and 530ºC respectively. The cross-sectional SEM revealed that membrane pores become enlarged when PVP has been added. AFM showed that membrane roughness improved when PVP was added. A rejection of 98% humic acid was obtained for PES membranes supported on NWF1, compared to 94 % and 96 % for membranes supported on NWF2 and NWF3 respectively. The highest rejection of humic acid (HA) recorded for PVDF membranes supported on NWF1 was found to be 97 % compared to the 95% for membranes supported on NWF2 and NWF3 fabrics respectively. PES membranes supported on NWF2 exhibited low but best As(III) metal ions rejections whilst PVDF membranes supported on NWF3 exhibited low but best rejections for Cr(III) metal ions.

The regulations for water fluoridation of South African municipal waters up to the optimum fluoride (F-) concentration of 0.7 mg/L, (Government Gazette, 2001) have been legislated. Fluoridation processes need accurate analytical methodology for the determination of F- , because F- has a narrow margin of safety between beneficial and toxic levels. In this work the analytical chemistry of F- was investigated comprehensively and guidelines compiled for the accurate determination of low level F- (between 0.05 to 1 mg/L) in aqueous systems. The first part of this study focused on method validation and the evaluation of the ISE and IC methods. The analytical methodologies were applied to the analysis of natural waters such as river water (Vaal and Crocodile Rivers), dam water (Hartbeespoort Dam), and drinking water (Johannesburg municipal tap water) to evaluate the performance of the chosen methods in the analysis of real samples and to assess the effect of the sample matrix on the accuracy of F- determinations. An inter-laboratory study in collaboration with the South African Bureau of Standard (SABS) was carried out to evaluate the proficiency of South African analytical laboratories and to check the proficiency of the procedures developed in this study. In the second part of this study, the development of an IC-ICP-OES and IC-ICP-MS method was investigated for the speciation of fluoro-aluminium complexes. This work was motivated by the fact that the water fluoridation could lead to remobilisation of scale from municipal pipes. Scale may contain aluminium hydroxide or oxide precipitates that can dissolve as fluoroaluminates or hydroxofluoro aluminates. The speciation of cationic fluoro-aluminates, free Al3+, AlF2+ and, AlF2 + together with the neutral AlF3 0, was based on cation exchange Ion chromatography (IC) coupled with Inductively Coupled Plasma- Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). / Prof. P.P. Coetzee

<p>The purpose of this study was to investigate grade 12 students conceptual understanding of chemical reaction using fluoridation of public water supply as a practical example of chemical reaction. The study also attempted to find out the effectiveness of concept mapping in facilitation the students understanding of chemical reaction, particularly redox reactions.</p>

Introdução: O conhecimento sobre a concentração de fluoreto nas águas de consumo humano é importante para a prevenção e controle da cárie e da fluorose dentária nas populações. Objetivo: Descrever as características dos estudos e os resultados por eles produzidos sobre monitoramento dos teores de fluoreto nas águas de consumo humano publicados em revistas científicas especializadas no período de 2008 a 2012. Método: Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática da literatura científica na qual foram incluídos estudos na forma de artigos que apresentassem temática centrada no monitoramento da concentração do fluoreto na água de consumo humano. Os estudos foram identificados por busca bibliográfica nas bases de dados: LILACS, PUBMED/MEDLINE e EMBASE. Artigos, com qualquer tipo de desenho metodológico, publicados nos idiomas português, inglês e espanhol, foram incluídos. Resultados: Quarenta e oito artigos foram incluídos para a extração das características e resultados referentes à pergunta da pesquisa. Conclusão: A atividade de monitoramento estava articulada à vigilância como ação do Estado em dezoito estudos (37,5%). O método eletrométrico foi usado em 39 (81%) estudos. Apenas dois estudos utilizaram o método da Alizarina, sugerindo-se o seu desuso. A classificação em categorias de tipo \"adequado\" e \"inadequado\" (dicotômica), a qual reduz as opções de interpretação e atribuição de significado às características das amostras, predominou na apresentação dos resultados. / Introduction: Knowledge on the concentration of fluoride in water for human consumption is important for the prevention and control of dental caries and dental fluorosis in populations. Objective: To describe the characteristics of the studies and the results on monitoring of fluoride levels in water for human consumption published in specialized journals in the period 2008-2012. Methods: A systematic review of the scientific literature was performed. Only articles on monitoring of fluoride concentration in drinking water were included. Studies were identified by literature searching in databases: LILACS, PUBMED / MEDLINE and EMBASE. Articles with any type of methodological design, published in Portuguese, English and Spanish were included. Results: Forty-eight articles were included for the extraction of features and results related to the research question. Conclusion: The monitoring activity was articulated to the surveillance as an action provided by the State in eighteen studies (37,5%). The electrometric method was used in 39 (81%) studies. Only two studies used the method of Alizarin, suggesting its disuse. The dichotomous categorization \"appropriate\" and \"in appropriate\" which reduces the options of interpretation and attribution of meaning to the sample characteristics predominated in the presentation of the results.

A fluoretação da água de abastecimento público tem-se mostrado como uma das medidas de saúde pública de maior alcance social, atingindo todas as idades, todas as classes sociais indistintamente e com a melhor relação custo-benefício. O objetivo deste trabalho foi o de verificar os teores de flúor da água de abastecimento público do município de Cananéia-SP, no período de um ano (2010-2011). Estabeleceu-se um protocolo de coletas mensais de amostras de água. As amostras foram coletadas em nove setores da zona urbana abrangendo três bairros e três setores da zona rural. A análise das amostras foi realizada em duplicata para cada amostra, utilizando-se o método do eletrodo específico para o íon flúor combinado (Orion 96-09) acoplado ao potenciômetro analisador de íons (EA-940), onde acusa a diferença de potencial entre as soluções de dentro do eletrodo e a solução que está sendo analisada. Foram realizadas 90 coletas de amostras de água, da zona urbana e zona rural. Nas 62 amostras da zona urbana identificou-se em 69,4% (43) a concentração de fluoretos estava em níveis aceitáveis (0,60 a 0,80 mgF/L), das 19 amostras consideradas inaceitáveis 17,0% (10) estavam com os teores acima do máximo permitido (> 0,80 mgF/L) e 15,2% (9), abaixo do recomendado (< 0,60 mgF/L). A zona rural considerando-se somente regiões onde o consumo de água tratada, das 14 amostras coletadas 57,1% (8) apresentou teores aceitáveis, 35,7% (5) apresentou resultados dos teores abaixo do estabelecido e 7,2% (1), o teor ficou acima. Na zona rural parte da população consome água proveniente da cachoeira sem tratamento e os teores de flúor presente nestas águas são inferiores a 0,05 mgF/L; como ficou demonstrado no resultado das análises das 14 amostras coletadas. Tendo em vista os resultados encontrados faz-se necessário o controle contínuo dos teores de flúor presente nestas águas garantindo assim a qualidade da água fornecida para a população com teores adequados de flúor, visando à prevenção da cárie dentária de maneira efetiva sem riscos de fluorose dentária. / Fluoridation of public water supplies has been shown as one of public health measures for greater social impact, reaching all ages, all social classes indiscriminately and with the best cost-effective relation. The objective of this study was to determine the levels of fluoride in public water supplies in the city Cananéia (State of Sao Paulo, Brazil) in one year (2010-2011). A protocol for collecting monthly water samples was established. Samples were collected in nine sectors of the urban area covering three districts and three rural sectors. Sample analysis was performed in duplicate for each sample, using the method of ion-selective electrode for combined fluoride (Orion 96-09) linked to a potentiometer ion analyzer (EA-940), which accuses the potential difference between solutions within the electrode and the solution being analyzed. Ninety (90) samples of water were collected from urban and rural areas. From 62 samples of the urban area, the concentration of fluoride at acceptable levels (0.60 to 0.80 mgF / L), was identified in 69.4% (43) ; from 19 samples at level considered unacceptable, 17.0% (10) presented levels above the maximum allowed (> 0.80 mgF / L) and 15.2% (9) present levels at a level lower than recommended (< 0.60 mgF / L). In the rural zone and only considering regions where treated water was consumed, from 14 samples collected, eight (8) 57.1% had acceptable levels, five (5) 35.7% had results below the levels established and one (1) 7.2 % was above the content. In rural areas most people get water without treatment and that this region of the 14 samples collected values of fluoride were found below 0.05 mgF / L. Given the findings it is necessary to keep continuous control of adequate fluoride levels in order to ensure the quality of water supplied to the population aiming the prevention of dental caries in an effective manner without risk of dental fluorosis.

Introdução. Não há dados que atestem, no contexto brasileiro das primeiras décadas do século XXI, que a fluoretação das águas de abastecimento público agrega benefício preventivo com relação à cárie dentária, em pequenos municípios, aos proporcionados pelo uso generalizado dos dentifrícios fluoretados. Objetivo. Analisar o grau do benefício preventivo da exposição à água fluoretada em relação à cárie dentária e sua distribuição segundo grupamentos dentais, em contexto de uso generalizado de creme dental fluoretado, no Brasil. Metodologia. Foi realizado estudo observacional transversal, de tipo censitário, na modalidade de duplo inquérito epidemiológico populacional. As populações avaliadas residem em municípios da mesma região geográfica, de pequeno porte demográfico e com classificação socioeconômica similar, diferenciando-se apenas pela condição de exposição, há pelo menos 5 anos, à água fluoretada (Silveiras) ou de não exposição (São José do Barreiro). A experiência e a magnitude da cárie dentária nessas populações foram avaliadas utilizando-se os índices ceod (aos 5 e 6 anos de idade; N=233), CPOD (aos 11 e 12 anos; N=312) e SiC (aos 11 e 12 anos; N=105) e a associação foi testada empregando-se as estatísticas qui-quadrado de Pearson e razão de prevalência (RP) entre não expostos (NE) e expostos (E) à água fluoretada. A partir dos valores do ceod, CPOD e SiC, foram obtidas as razões de magnitude entre os grupamentos dentários posteriores e anteriores (RM-PA), em ambas as dentições, segundo exposição ou não à água fluoretada. Os grupamentos dentários foram assim definidos: anteriores-estéticos (incisivos centrais e laterais e caninos, superiores e inferiores, em ambas as dentições) e posteriores (primeiros e segundos pré-molares e primeiros e segundos molares, superiores e inferiores na dentição permanente e primeiros e segundos molares superiores e inferiores na dentição decídua). Resultados. Dentição decídua- Embora a experiência de cárie (ceod1) não tenha se associado com a exposição à água fluoretada (qui-quadrado=2,77; p=0,96; =5 por cento ),observou-se expressiva diferença na magnitude com que a doença atingiu a população: as médias ceod foram de 2,74 em expostos e 4,17 em não expostos. O grau da polarização, indicado pela porcentagem de indivíduos com ceod=0, foi diferente, sendo maior (43,0 por cento ) em expostos e menor (31,0 por cento ) em não expostos. A RP (NE/E) foi de 1,21 indicando que a exposição à água fluoretada correspondeu a uma taxa de prevalência 21 por cento menor, comparativamente aos não expostos. As razões de magnitude para dentição decídua (RM-PAd) foram de 4,2 em expostos e 4,8 em não expostos. Dentição permanente- Embora a experiência de cárie (CPOD1) não tenha se associado com a exposição à água fluoretada (qui-quadrado=1,78; p=0,18; =5 por cento ), observou-se expressiva diferença na magnitude com que a doença atingiu a população: as médias CPOD foram de 1,76 em expostos e 2,60 em não expostos. O grau da polarização, indicado pela porcentagem de indivíduos com CPOD=0, foi diferente, sendo maior (41,8 por cento ) em expostos e menor (34,3 por cento ) em não expostos. A RP (NE/E) foi de 1,13 indicando pouca expressividade na diferença das prevalências. Para a dentição permanente as razões de magnitude na população total (RM-PAp) foram de 22,1 em expostos e 6,1, em não expostos. O valor médio do SiC foi de 4,04 em expostos e 6,16 em não expostos, enquanto as razões de magnitude (RM-PA-SiC) foram 23,8 e 5,9, respectivamente. Conclusão. A exposição à água fluoretada implicou menores valores médios dos índices ceod, CPOD e SiC, ainda que em presença de exposição concomitante a dentifrício fluoretado, em cenário de baixa prevalência da doença e padrão similar de distribuição de cárie nas populações analisadas. As menores experiência e magnitude da cárie nos grupamentos dentários anteriores, em situação de exposição à água fluoretada em comparação com a não exposição, corrobora estudos anteriores. No contexto brasileiro, ainda que em presença de exposição simultânea a dentifrício fluoretado, a fluoretação das águas segue produzindo efeitos epidemiológicos relevantes / Introduction. In the Brazilian context of the first decades of the 21st century, there is no evidence that the fluoridation of public water supplies adds preventive benefit in relation to dental caries, in small municipalities, to those provided by the widespread use of fluoridated dentifrices. Objective. To analyze the degree of the preventive benefit of exposure to fluoridated water in relation to dental caries and its distribution according to dental groups, in a context of widespread use of fluoride toothpaste in Brazil. Methodology. A cross - sectional observational study, census type, was conducted in a double epidemiological population survey. The populations studied live in municipalities of the same geographic region, with a small demographic and similar socioeconomic classification, differing only by the condition of exposure to fluoridated water (Silveiras) or no exposure (São José do Barreiro), for at least 5 years. The experience and magnitude of dental caries in these populations were evaluated using the dmft indice (at 5 and 6 years of age, N=233), DMFT (at 11 and 12 years old, N=312) and SiC (at 11 and 12 years, N=105), and the association was tested using Pearson\'s chi-square statistic and prevalence ratio (PR) between no-exposed (NE) and exposed (E) to fluoridated water. From the values of dmft, DMFT and SiC, the magnitude ratios between the posterior and anterior dental groups (MR-PA) were obtained in both dentitions according to exposure to fluoridated water. Dental groups were defined: anterior-esthetic (central and lateral incisors and canines, upper and lower, in both dentitions) and posterior (first and second premolars and first and second molars, upper and lower, in the permanent dentition and first and second molars upper and lower in the deciduous dentition). Results. Deciduos Dentition- Although the caries experience (dmft1) wasnt associated with exposure to fluoridated water (chi-square=2.77, p=0.96, =5 per cent ), there was a significant difference in Magnitude with which the disease reached the population: the mean dmft were 2.74 in exposed and 4.17 in no exposed. The degree of polarization, indicated by the percentage of individuals with dmft=0, was different, being higher (43.0 per cent ) in exposed and lower (31.0 per cent ) in no exposed. PR (NE / E) was 1.21 indicating that exposure to fluoridated water corresponded to a 21 per cent lower prevalence rate compared to those not exposed. The magnitude ratios for deciduous dentition (MR-PAd) were 4.2 in exposed and 4.8 in no exposed. Permanent Dentition - Although the caries experience (DMFT1) was not associated with exposure to fluoridated water (chi-square=1.78, p=0.18, =5 per cent ), there was a significant difference in Magnitude with which the disease reached the population: DMFT means were 1.76 in exposed and 2.60 in no exposed. The degree of polarization, indicated by the percentage of individuals with DMFT=0, was different, being higher (41.8 per cent ) in exposed and lower (34.3 per cent ) in no exposed. PR (NE / E) was 1.13 indicating little expressiveness in the difference in prevalence. For permanent dentition the magnitude ratios in the total population (MR-PAp) were 22.1 in exposed and 6.1 in no exposed. The DMFT value for the SiC was 4.04 in exposed and 6.16 in no exposed, while the magnitude ratios (MR-PA-SiC) were 23.8 and 5.9, respectively. Conclusion. Exposure to fluoridated water implied lower mean values of dmft, DMFT and SiC indexes, although in the presence of concomitant exposure to fluoridated dentifrice, in a scenario of low disease prevalence and a similar pattern of caries distribution in the populations analyzed. The lower experience and magnitude of caries in the anterior-esthetic dental groups, in situations of exposure to fluoridated water compared to no exposure, corroborates previous studies. In the Brazilian context, even in the simultaneous exposure to fluoridated dentifrice, the fluoridation of water continues to produce relevant epidemiological effects

Introdução. Não há dados que atestem, no contexto brasileiro das primeiras décadas do século XXI, que a fluoretação das águas de abastecimento público agrega benefício preventivo com relação à cárie dentária, em pequenos municípios, aos proporcionados pelo uso generalizado dos dentifrícios fluoretados. Objetivo. Analisar o grau do benefício preventivo da exposição à água fluoretada em relação à cárie dentária e sua distribuição segundo grupamentos dentais, em contexto de uso generalizado de creme dental fluoretado, no Brasil. Metodologia. Foi realizado estudo observacional transversal, de tipo censitário, na modalidade de duplo inquérito epidemiológico populacional. As populações avaliadas residem em municípios da mesma região geográfica, de pequeno porte demográfico e com classificação socioeconômica similar, diferenciando-se apenas pela condição de exposição, há pelo menos 5 anos, à água fluoretada (Silveiras) ou de não exposição (São José do Barreiro). A experiência e a magnitude da cárie dentária nessas populações foram avaliadas utilizando-se os índices ceod (aos 5 e 6 anos de idade; N=233), CPOD (aos 11 e 12 anos; N=312) e SiC (aos 11 e 12 anos; N=105) e a associação foi testada empregando-se as estatísticas qui-quadrado de Pearson e razão de prevalência (RP) entre não expostos (NE) e expostos (E) à água fluoretada. A partir dos valores do ceod, CPOD e SiC, foram obtidas as razões de magnitude entre os grupamentos dentários posteriores e anteriores (RM-PA), em ambas as dentições, segundo exposição ou não à água fluoretada. Os grupamentos dentários foram assim definidos: anteriores-estéticos (incisivos centrais e laterais e caninos, superiores e inferiores, em ambas as dentições) e posteriores (primeiros e segundos pré-molares e primeiros e segundos molares, superiores e inferiores na dentição permanente e primeiros e segundos molares superiores e inferiores na dentição decídua). Resultados. Dentição decídua- Embora a experiência de cárie (ceod1) não tenha se associado com a exposição à água fluoretada (qui-quadrado=2,77; p=0,96; =5 por cento ),observou-se expressiva diferença na magnitude com que a doença atingiu a população: as médias ceod foram de 2,74 em expostos e 4,17 em não expostos. O grau da polarização, indicado pela porcentagem de indivíduos com ceod=0, foi diferente, sendo maior (43,0 por cento ) em expostos e menor (31,0 por cento ) em não expostos. A RP (NE/E) foi de 1,21 indicando que a exposição à água fluoretada correspondeu a uma taxa de prevalência 21 por cento menor, comparativamente aos não expostos. As razões de magnitude para dentição decídua (RM-PAd) foram de 4,2 em expostos e 4,8 em não expostos. Dentição permanente- Embora a experiência de cárie (CPOD1) não tenha se associado com a exposição à água fluoretada (qui-quadrado=1,78; p=0,18; =5 por cento ), observou-se expressiva diferença na magnitude com que a doença atingiu a população: as médias CPOD foram de 1,76 em expostos e 2,60 em não expostos. O grau da polarização, indicado pela porcentagem de indivíduos com CPOD=0, foi diferente, sendo maior (41,8 por cento ) em expostos e menor (34,3 por cento ) em não expostos. A RP (NE/E) foi de 1,13 indicando pouca expressividade na diferença das prevalências. Para a dentição permanente as razões de magnitude na população total (RM-PAp) foram de 22,1 em expostos e 6,1, em não expostos. O valor médio do SiC foi de 4,04 em expostos e 6,16 em não expostos, enquanto as razões de magnitude (RM-PA-SiC) foram 23,8 e 5,9, respectivamente. Conclusão. A exposição à água fluoretada implicou menores valores médios dos índices ceod, CPOD e SiC, ainda que em presença de exposição concomitante a dentifrício fluoretado, em cenário de baixa prevalência da doença e padrão similar de distribuição de cárie nas populações analisadas. As menores experiência e magnitude da cárie nos grupamentos dentários anteriores, em situação de exposição à água fluoretada em comparação com a não exposição, corrobora estudos anteriores. No contexto brasileiro, ainda que em presença de exposição simultânea a dentifrício fluoretado, a fluoretação das águas segue produzindo efeitos epidemiológicos relevantes / Introduction. In the Brazilian context of the first decades of the 21st century, there is no evidence that the fluoridation of public water supplies adds preventive benefit in relation to dental caries, in small municipalities, to those provided by the widespread use of fluoridated dentifrices. Objective. To analyze the degree of the preventive benefit of exposure to fluoridated water in relation to dental caries and its distribution according to dental groups, in a context of widespread use of fluoride toothpaste in Brazil. Methodology. A cross - sectional observational study, census type, was conducted in a double epidemiological population survey. The populations studied live in municipalities of the same geographic region, with a small demographic and similar socioeconomic classification, differing only by the condition of exposure to fluoridated water (Silveiras) or no exposure (São José do Barreiro), for at least 5 years. The experience and magnitude of dental caries in these populations were evaluated using the dmft indice (at 5 and 6 years of age, N=233), DMFT (at 11 and 12 years old, N=312) and SiC (at 11 and 12 years, N=105), and the association was tested using Pearson\'s chi-square statistic and prevalence ratio (PR) between no-exposed (NE) and exposed (E) to fluoridated water. From the values of dmft, DMFT and SiC, the magnitude ratios between the posterior and anterior dental groups (MR-PA) were obtained in both dentitions according to exposure to fluoridated water. Dental groups were defined: anterior-esthetic (central and lateral incisors and canines, upper and lower, in both dentitions) and posterior (first and second premolars and first and second molars, upper and lower, in the permanent dentition and first and second molars upper and lower in the deciduous dentition). Results. Deciduos Dentition- Although the caries experience (dmft1) wasnt associated with exposure to fluoridated water (chi-square=2.77, p=0.96, =5 per cent ), there was a significant difference in Magnitude with which the disease reached the population: the mean dmft were 2.74 in exposed and 4.17 in no exposed. The degree of polarization, indicated by the percentage of individuals with dmft=0, was different, being higher (43.0 per cent ) in exposed and lower (31.0 per cent ) in no exposed. PR (NE / E) was 1.21 indicating that exposure to fluoridated water corresponded to a 21 per cent lower prevalence rate compared to those not exposed. The magnitude ratios for deciduous dentition (MR-PAd) were 4.2 in exposed and 4.8 in no exposed. Permanent Dentition - Although the caries experience (DMFT1) was not associated with exposure to fluoridated water (chi-square=1.78, p=0.18, =5 per cent ), there was a significant difference in Magnitude with which the disease reached the population: DMFT means were 1.76 in exposed and 2.60 in no exposed. The degree of polarization, indicated by the percentage of individuals with DMFT=0, was different, being higher (41.8 per cent ) in exposed and lower (34.3 per cent ) in no exposed. PR (NE / E) was 1.13 indicating little expressiveness in the difference in prevalence. For permanent dentition the magnitude ratios in the total population (MR-PAp) were 22.1 in exposed and 6.1 in no exposed. The DMFT value for the SiC was 4.04 in exposed and 6.16 in no exposed, while the magnitude ratios (MR-PA-SiC) were 23.8 and 5.9, respectively. Conclusion. Exposure to fluoridated water implied lower mean values of dmft, DMFT and SiC indexes, although in the presence of concomitant exposure to fluoridated dentifrice, in a scenario of low disease prevalence and a similar pattern of caries distribution in the populations analyzed. The lower experience and magnitude of caries in the anterior-esthetic dental groups, in situations of exposure to fluoridated water compared to no exposure, corroborates previous studies. In the Brazilian context, even in the simultaneous exposure to fluoridated dentifrice, the fluoridation of water continues to produce relevant epidemiological effects

Introdução: O conhecimento sobre a concentração de fluoreto nas águas de consumo humano é importante para a prevenção e controle da cárie e da fluorose dentária nas populações. Objetivo: Descrever as características dos estudos e os resultados por eles produzidos sobre monitoramento dos teores de fluoreto nas águas de consumo humano publicados em revistas científicas especializadas no período de 2008 a 2012. Método: Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática da literatura científica na qual foram incluídos estudos na forma de artigos que apresentassem temática centrada no monitoramento da concentração do fluoreto na água de consumo humano. Os estudos foram identificados por busca bibliográfica nas bases de dados: LILACS, PUBMED/MEDLINE e EMBASE. Artigos, com qualquer tipo de desenho metodológico, publicados nos idiomas português, inglês e espanhol, foram incluídos. Resultados: Quarenta e oito artigos foram incluídos para a extração das características e resultados referentes à pergunta da pesquisa. Conclusão: A atividade de monitoramento estava articulada à vigilância como ação do Estado em dezoito estudos (37,5%). O método eletrométrico foi usado em 39 (81%) estudos. Apenas dois estudos utilizaram o método da Alizarina, sugerindo-se o seu desuso. A classificação em categorias de tipo \"adequado\" e \"inadequado\" (dicotômica), a qual reduz as opções de interpretação e atribuição de significado às características das amostras, predominou na apresentação dos resultados. / Introduction: Knowledge on the concentration of fluoride in water for human consumption is important for the prevention and control of dental caries and dental fluorosis in populations. Objective: To describe the characteristics of the studies and the results on monitoring of fluoride levels in water for human consumption published in specialized journals in the period 2008-2012. Methods: A systematic review of the scientific literature was performed. Only articles on monitoring of fluoride concentration in drinking water were included. Studies were identified by literature searching in databases: LILACS, PUBMED / MEDLINE and EMBASE. Articles with any type of methodological design, published in Portuguese, English and Spanish were included. Results: Forty-eight articles were included for the extraction of features and results related to the research question. Conclusion: The monitoring activity was articulated to the surveillance as an action provided by the State in eighteen studies (37,5%). The electrometric method was used in 39 (81%) studies. Only two studies used the method of Alizarin, suggesting its disuse. The dichotomous categorization \"appropriate\" and \"in appropriate\" which reduces the options of interpretation and attribution of meaning to the sample characteristics predominated in the presentation of the results.