The Effect of Water Fluoride Concentration on DMFT Index in Vardar Population in Macedonia

The aim of this study is to determine the correlation between the DMFT index of 12-year-old children and the concentration of fluorine in drinking water from the populated areas where children live. Material and method: In the examination, 85children were enrolled, out of 2 central and 2regional primary schools, at which the DMFT index was determined. The children live in 2 different cities and 2 different villages. Four water samples were taken from the examined area to determine the fluorine concentration by using the electrochemical method using the pH/ISE Meter-Thermo-Orion with a special F-electrode (Thermo Orion Ion Plus Fluoride Electrode) at the Institute for public health. Spearman's method was used to determine the correlation between the specified variables. Results: The total number of children in the examined sample was 85, out of which45 were male and 40 were female. The average DMFT index in this group of children was 2.75 with a standard deviation of ±2.56. Maximum concentration of fluorine in drinking water of 0.39ppmF was determined in the village Vinicani, while the minimum (0.17ppmF) in the city Veles and (0.20 ppmF) in the village Melnica. Correlation of the DMFT index in children from the Vardar region and the concentration of fluorine in the drinking water has a negative, indirect correlation, with the value of the coefficient r=-0.393. Conclusion: The correlation between the DMFT index and the concentration of drinking water is a negative, indirect and correlation is highly significant