title: A map of natural fluoride in drinking water in Pakistan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The assessment of fluoride levels in domestic water supplies in Pakistan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Water samples were collected from sources supplying the majority of the population: taps in places where piped water supply was available, tube-wells, boreholes and wells in rural areas, and stream water where appropriate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis of 987 water supplies showed that they are predominantly low in fluoride content, 84% containing less than 0.7ppm of fluoride.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For the majority of the population in Pakistan there is a clear indication for use of alternate sources of fluoride to ensure optimal intake necessary for the control of dental caries.
authors.affiliation: Shaikh Zayed Federal Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lahore, Pakistan. ayyazk@brain.net.pk
authors.forename: Ali Khan
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Ayyaz
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Whelton
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: O'Mullane
mesh_terms: D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000032:analysis*; D005459:Fluorides / Q000032:analysis*; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis; D010154:Pakistan; D012424:Rural Population; D014505:Urban Population; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D008903:Minerals; D005459:Fluorides