وفاء علي محمد أبوزيد
عضو هيئة تدريس قار
المؤهل العلمي: ماجستير
الدرجة العلمية: محاضر
التخصص: بيولوجيا الفم - بيولوجيا الفم
طب الأسنان العام - كلية طب وجراحة الفم والأسنان
المنشورات العلمية
Quest Journals Journal of Medical and Dental Science Research
Journal ArticleAbstract
Dental caries is a widespread infectious disease influenced by bacterial activity, dietary factors, and host
susceptibility. Community water fluoridation has been a key public health measure for caries prevention,
particularly in children. The optimal fluoride concentration in drinking water (0.7 mg/L) balances caries
reduction with minimal fluorosis risk. This study assessed fluoride levels in drinking water and their
correlation with dental caries in primary school children in Gharyan, Libya. A cross-sectional study was
conducted on 350 children (aged 7–10 years) from urban and rural schools in Gharyan. Water samples from
five stores and one groundwater source were analyzed for fluoride concentration using an ion-selective
electrode. Dental caries was assessed using the dmft/DMFT index. Fluoride levels in water stores were
negligible (0.0–0.1 mg/L), while unfiltered groundwater exhibited high concentrations (6.0–7.0 mg/L),
exceeding WHO guidelines (1.5 mg/L). The low fluoride availability in most drinking sources suggests
limited caries-preventive effects from water fluoridation in this region. The study highlights insufficient
fluoride exposure in Gharyan’s public water supply, potentially contributing to higher caries prevalence.
Further research is needed to evaluate alternative fluoride delivery methods and assess groundwater safety
to optimize oral health outcomes.
Keywords. Fluoride Concentration, Drinking Water, Dental Caries, Primary School
Raja Mohammed Fadhl Abuikhrays, Hosam Aligail Alarbe Saleh, Wafa Ali Mohamed Abozaid, SALEM ISSADIG SALEM YOSOF, (06-2025), Razi Medical Journal: Razi Medical Journal, 2 (1), 83-86