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Purpose: This study's purpose was to assess the prevalence of dental erosion in adolescents and to investigate the association between erosion and sociodemographic characteristics., Methods: This study consisted of a single center cluster random sample of 414 adolescents (12 and 16 years old) of both genders from private and public schools in Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil. Two previously calibrated examiners (kappa=0.85) used the O'Brien (1994) index for assessment of dental erosion on the buccal and palatal surfaces of the permanent maxillary incisors and on the occlusal surfaces of the permanent first molars. Data on gender, type of school, and mean family income were collected by a questionnaire completed by the adolescents. Descriptive statistics were applied to the data, and the associations between erosion and sociodemographic variables were investigated by chi-square test (P<0.05)., Results: The prevalence of dental erosion was 20% (N=83), with only enamel being involved (score 1). The labial surface was the most affected (16%). There were no significant differences between the presence of erosion and gender, type of school, and mean family income., Conclusions: The results indicate that dental erosion restricted to enamel was observed among adolescents in Bauru/Brazil, and there was no correlation between this condition and sociodemographic factors.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to estimate fluoride (F) intake from infant formulas prepared with different brands of bottled water., Methods: Fluoride concentrations in 4 samples of infant milk and soy-based formulas, commercially available in the United States, prepared with deionized water and 5 brands of bottled water, were determined after Hexamethyldisioxane (HMDS)-facilitated diffusion, in duplicate, using an F ion-specific electrode. Possible fluoride ingestion per killogram body mass was estimated, based on suggested volumes of formula consumption, for infants 1 and 12 months., Results: Fluoride concentrations ranged from 0.076 to 0.214 ppm and 0.092 to 1.053 ppm for formulas prepared with deionized and bottled water, respectively. When prepared with deionized water, none of the formulas provided an F intake above the suggested threshold for fluorosis (0.07 mg F/kg/day). However, when prepared with some brands of bottled water containing 0.623 and 0.839 ppm, all of them did provide it., Conclusions: Some brands of bottled water usually marketed for infants and used to dilute infant formulas may increase fluoride concentrations beyond reccommended levels believed to lead to fluorosis.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to verify the use of nails as biomarkers of chronic fluoride (F) exposure from the diets of children living in communities with negligibly or optimally fluoridated water., Methods: Fifteen 2- to 6-year-old children living in Bauru-São Paulo (fluoridated) and 15 lifelong residents of Itápolis-São Paulo (nonfluoridated) participated in the study. Fluoride concentrations in nails and duplicate diet were analyzed with the electrode, following hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDS)-facilitated diffusion. Data were analyzed by student's t-test and linear regression (P < .05)., Results: Mean fluoride concentrations ([microg/g) in fingernails and toenails of Bauru children were 3.56 +/- 1.3 and 2.81 +/- 1.29, respectively, and for Itápolis children 2.29 +/- 1.25 and 1.58 +/- 0.59, respectively. The differences between Bauru and Itápolis children, as well as between fluoride concentrations in fingernails and toenails, were statistically significant. The estimated fluoride intake from the diet was significantly higher for Bauru children (0.55 +/- 0.61 mg) when compared to Itápolis children (0.09 +/- 0.06 mg). A significant positive correlation was found between the mean of fingernail and toenail fluoride concentrations and estimated fluoride intake from the diet (r = 0.57)., Conclusions: This study's preliminary data suggests that fingernails and toenails may be used as biomarkers of chronic fluoride exposure from the diet. Additional studies are necessary to determine the predictive values, sensitivity, and specificity of this biomarker so that nails are used to differentiate children at the age of dental fluorosis risk and who live in communities with negligibly or optimally fluoridated water.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent to which domestic, activated carbon water filters remove fluoride from water and to analyze the fluoride level of the public water supply in Bauru, province of São Paulo, Brazil., Methods: Samples of filtered and nonfiltered tap water were collected from 180 houses in 9 different regions in the city; each served with its own water treatment facility. Fluoride was analyzed with the ion specific electrode (Orion 9609)., Results: Of the filters presented in the 180 houses, only 12 removed fluoride from water, either totally (3) or partially (9). Water fluoride concentrations in 6 regions were within the acceptable range (0.5 to 1.0 ppm). Overfluoridation was observed in 1 area, and underfluoridation was seen in 2 areas., Conclusions: Most domestic activated carbon filters did not remove fluoride from water. Children who drank filtered water did not need fluoride supplementation. As has been shown in other studies, the fluoride level in the public water supply in some regions of Bauru was not adequate on the day analyzed.