Fluoride levels in drinking water in the Central Province of Saudi Arabia.
BACKGROUND
This study was designed to assess the fluoride levels in drinking water in the Central Province of Saudi Arabia.


METHODS
A total of 817 water samples were collected from 260 locations in Central Saudi Arabia. An atomic absorption spectrophotometer [HACH instrument, model DR 3000] was used in the analyses of water samples for fluoride levels.


RESULTS
The results showed that fluoride levels vary between 0.00 and 6.20 ppm. About 75% and 6% of the population in Riyadh and Qassim regions, respectively, were exposed to very low fluoride levels (0.00-0.03 ppm), while less than 3% of the population in both regions were exposed to fluoride levels ranging from 0.61 to 0.80 ppm. A higher percentage of the population in Qassim than Riyadh region were exposed to high fluoride levels (>0.81 ppm); 28.63% than in Riyadh with 9.24%.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study can serve as a baseline data for water fluoridation and other dental preventive programs in the area.
Aldosari
Abdullah M
AM
Collge of Dentistry, King Saud University, and Riyadh Sewage and Water Works, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, amdosari@ksu.edu.sa.
Akpata
Enosakhare S
ES
Khan
Nazeer
N
Wyne
Amjad H
AH
Al-Meheithif
Abdullah
A