Journal of Dental Research, Vol 65, 71-74, Copyright © 1986 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Determinants of requests for water fluoride assay among North Carolina dentists
S. M. Levy, R. G. Rozier and J. W. Bawden
Fluoride content of drinking water is an important criterion in prescribing
fluoride supplements. The majority of practicing dentists and physicians
prescribe fluoride supplements, yet many apparently are unaware of the
fluoride levels in their patients' drinking water. Characteristics of North
Carolina (NC) dentists, their practices, and their communities were
investigated to determine factors associated with whether they requested
fluoride assays of their patients' drinking water. Comparisons were made
between dentists sampling (assaying) and those not sampling. Licensure
renewal files provided characteristics of the 79 pedodontists and 1768
general practitioners (GP's) active in NC. Eighty-eight GP's (5%) and 26
pedodontists (33%) requested water fluoride analyses between December,
1982, and May, 1983. Significant predictors of fluoride assay request by
GP's were the dentist's age, the geographic region of the state, the number
of dentists in the practice, and an interaction between geographic region
and the number of dentists in the practice. Younger GP's and those with
fewer dentists in the practice were more likely to request fluoride assays
of patients' water. For pedodontists, dentist's age and geographic region
were significant predictors. Additional training concerning the need for
water fluoride assay appears necessary, especially among older
practitioners.
