Method: Fluoride concentration in the diet of 55 schoolchildren, aged two to five years, living in communities with (n=28) and without (n=27) fluoridated water (0.65 ± 0.06 and 0.06 ± 0.01 ppm F, respectively) was determined. All diet (liquids and solids) was collected by the duplicate diet method, in two consecutive days, and F concentration in both samples was averaged. Fluoride was extracted from dietary products by HMDS-facilitated diffusion and its concentration was determined using an ion-specific electrode.
Result: Daily fluoride intake was 410.7±191.7 and 28.4±14.0 µg F/day in cities with and without fluoridated water, respectively (p<0.0001). In terms of children weight, the daily dose of F intake from diet was 0.026±0.012 and 0.002±0.001 mg F/day/Kg, respectively (p<0.0001). The F dose to which children from the fluoridated city are being exposed is lower than the threshold limit dose in terms of objectionable dental fluorosis (0.07 mg F/kg/day).
Conclusion: The findings suggest that the currently adjusted F concentration for drinking water in cities from the center-west region of Brazil may be considered safe in terms of fluorosis severity. (Supported by CNPq 151938/2010-5)