Fluoride analyses of patient water supplies requested by North Carolina health professionals.

Abstract

The frequencies, patterns, and results of 1,900 patient drinking water assays for fluoride content requested in a six-month period by North Carolina health professionals were determined. Twelve per cent of the samples warranted adjustment from the full dosage fluoride supplement. Less than 3 per cent of physicians and 8 per cent of dentists submitted samples. Water supplies should be tested before a systemic fluoride supplement is prescribed. Either few dentists and physicians in North Carolina test water before prescribing supplements or few prescribe them at all.