THE EVANSTON DENTAL CARIES STUDY

. DETERMINATION OF FLUORINE IN FOODS, BONES, AND TEETH

¹ Evanston Health Department, Evanston, Ill.

The question of the advisability of adding fluorine to public drinking water supplies as a method to help control dental caries is now a major public health problem. One phase of this work is in progress in the chemical laboratory of Evanston. Chemical analyses of the foods available in the Evanston markets are made to determine the fluorine content. Permanent teeth which must be extracted and deciduous teeth which are shed are used to determine the fluorine content of dental tissues. The crest of the ilium and fetuses are used to determine the fluorine content of bones. Daily chemical analyses are made to determine the fluorine content of water samples taken from all parts of the city. It is believed that these analyses will furnish considerable information of value on the control of dental caries by the use of public health methods.

The physiologic action of the fluoride ion needs further investigation, even though it has been studied at some length. Further research should be encouraged on the methods of analysis. There is need for more complete data regarding the occurrence of fluorides in foods, bones, and teeth.