CONTRIBUIÇÃO PARA O CONHECIMENTO DO TEOR DE FLÚOR DE AGUAS DO ESTADO DE S. PAULO - SIGNIFICAÇÃO SANITÁRIA DO PROBLEMA

Abstract

A rev1ew on the problem of the importance of fluorine in ils different concentrations in nature in regard to tooth health, is presented by the author. Methods for treatment and .prophylaxis are studied and its use in public health programs, as well. Since the problem has not been thoroughly studied in this country, the anthor is determining the concentration of fluorine in the water supplies of the principal cities of the State of São Paulo. 334 samples from cities in the interior anrl 12 from water supplies in the capital have been analysed. The method use for fluorine dosage is that recommended by the "Standard Methods for the examination of water and sewage" 9th edition N.Y. 1946, and most of the institutions devoted to public health problems. In each sample, the interfering factors were also determined, as shown in table. I. Control tests have been made. The results in regard to fluorine concentration were uniformly low, as presented in table I. Some other data of interest are presented in different tables. Considering that other inyestigations made before have demonstrated the high l number of dental caries among students, thc author is strongly in favour of fluorination of the water supplies and the organisation of a program with the purpose of applying fluorine to the teeth. In brief, these are his conclusions :1) The analysis of water samples from 355 places in the Stale of São Paulo, showed a concentration of fluorine insufficient to protect the population againsl dental caries. 2) These results emphasize either tpe necessity of adding fluorine lo our water supplies or the local application of fluori.ne to children's teeth in accordance Vith local conditions. 3) The control o f such measures should belong to official sanitary organizations.