Ten years of external control over water fluoridation in Chapecó, Santa Catarina State, Brazil

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze fluoride concentration in the public water supply in Chapecó, Santa Catarina State, Brazil, from 1995 to 2005 and to assess the effectiveness of a fluoridation quality intervention in 2003. A total of 989 water samples were analyzed. Fluoride concentrations were classified according to three different criteria used in Brazil. The city conducted a political and legal intervention in 2003. The Prais-Winsten procedure was used to evaluate the fluoride concentrations over time. In the ten years, the water fluoridation system showed 46%, 32%, and 43% of adequate samples, depending on the criterion. Prior to the municipal intervention, the proportion of adequate samples was 40%, 26%, and 36%, increasing to 63%, 49%, and 61% after the intervention, according to the three criteria. Fluoride concentration improved after the municipal intervention. On-going surveillance is recommended, including water fluoridation, dental caries, and dental fluorosis.