Estimation of Flouride Concentration in Drinking Water Sources of Bhilai, Chattisgarh

Background: Fluoride has always been considered as a “double edged sword”. The optimum and judicious use of fluoride has resulted in caries protection whereas injudicious use has resulted in chronic fluoride toxicity, which manifests as dental and skeletal fluoride. Dental fluorosis occurring due to drinking water with high concentration of fluoride is a common public health problem in India. Hence the present study was designed with an aim to estimate fluoride concentration in drinking water source of the people from Bhilai, Chattisgarh. Aim: To estimate fluoride concentration in drinking water source of the people from Bhilai, Chattisgarh. Material and Methods: Eight different samples of ground water was collected from bhiali, Chattisgarh, which is divided into four different areas: kurud (north), Maroda (south), Charoda (east), Nehrunagar (west); all these samples were tested by HI-96759-11 portable photometre and the fluoride concentration was determined. All the data obtained was then further subjected to statistical analysis and a conclusion was inferred regarding the fluoride concentration of drinking water source of the people of Bhilai, Chattisgarh which is essential for an effective fluoride regimen for prevention of dental caries in children. Result: Highest fluoride concentration in Bhilai is found to be 0.52 ± .056 ppm and the lowest being 0.31 ± .148 ppm. So, the fluoride concentration of the ground water in Bhilai is found to be in the range of 0.3-o.6 ppm. Thus, it does not possess any chance to cause dental fluorosis in the people of Bhilai. However, a fluoride supplementation of 0.25mg/day for 3-6yrs children and 0.50mg/day for 6-16yrs children can be done to enhance the prevention of dental caries in the children residing in Bhilai, Chattisgarh