Abstract
Background
The fluoridation of water supply has been pointed out in national and international studies as the most efficient and equal way of accessing fluorides in the prevention of dental caries.
Objective
To report the results of heterocontrol in public water supply in the municipality of Colombo/PR, from December 2013 to November 2014.
Method
The samples were monthly collected in 15 Basic Health Units, on random days of the week, from 12/2013 to 11/2014. The samples were analyzed by the electrometric method at the Faculty of Dentistry of Fluminense Federal University.
Results
180 samples were analyzed, ranging from <0.001 to 1.480 mg/L (mean 0.715 ± 0.232 mg/L). According to the criteria established by the Collaborating Center of the Ministry of Health in Oral Health Surveillance, 51.11% of the samples had adequate fluoride levels, 13.34% above ideal fluoride levels, and 35.56% below ideal levels.
Conclusion
Heterocontrol could represent one of the main strategies of oral health surveillance, and, therefore, it should be implemented and carried out in all regions that use fluoridated water, in order to guarantee the maintenance of optimal fluoride levels.
Keywords:
fluorine; fluorosis; water; oral health; health surveillance
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