title: 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.
mesh_terms: D000488:Allied Health Personnel; D005459:Fluorides / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D009657:North Carolina; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D014867:Water; D005459:Fluorides