Ahmad Reza Yari - Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
Shahram Nazari - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Amir Hossein Mahvi - Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
Gharib Majidi - Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
Soudabeh Alizadeh Matboo - Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
Mehdi Fazlzadeh - Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran

Background and Purpose: Fluoride is a natural element essential for human nutrition due to its  benefits for dental enamel. It is well-documented that standard amounts of fluoride in drinkingwater can decrease the rate of dental caries. This study was conducted with the aim of measuring fluoride concentration of drinking-water supplies and urban distribution system in Qom, Iran. Materials and Methods: Results were subsequently compared against national and international standards. All sources of drinking-water of rural and urban areas were examined. To measure fluoride, the standard SPADNS method and a DR/۴۰۰۰s spectrophotometer were used. Results: Results showed that the mean of fluoride concentration in rural areas, mainly supplied with groundwater sources, was ۰.۴۱ mg/L, that of the urban distribution system ۰.۸۲ mg/L, that of Ali-Abad station ۰.۱۱ mg/L, and that of the private water desalination system ۰.۲۴ mg/L. Due to the hot climate of Qom, fluoride concentration means of all sources were lower than the permissible standards set by Iranian Standards and the WHO guidelines (except those of some of the groundwater sources and urban distribution systems).  Conclusion: It seems that in most of the drinking-water sources the average fluoride concentration is not enough to prevent dental caries or strengthen dental enamel. It is concluded that Qom’s drinkingwater would require at least ۰.۴ mg/L to reach the minimum desirable standard.

Drinking-Water Sources, Fluoride Concentration, Dental Caries, Qom, Iran