Assessment of Fluoride Concentration in Drinking Water and Its Correlation with Dental Caries in Primary School Children in Gharyan, Libya

Abstract

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.