Fluoride levels and dental fluorosis in two districts in Zimbabwe

Water from two rural communities in Zimbabwe was analysed for fluoride content and school children in the two districts were examined for dental fluorosis. The survey for fluoride distribution in drinking water and the survey for the prevalence of fluorosis in the two districts were two complementary phases of the same project. In Gokwe District, water from artesian wells was found to contain between 5ppm and 10ppm fluoride ion concentration and as a result, fluorosis was found to be extremely severe in those communities solely dependent on artesian wells. In Chimanimani District, water from hot springs was found to contain five to six ppm fluoride ion concentration and in the catchment area of schools, drinking from hot springs fluorosis was also found to be very severe. In both cases, access to high fluoride water can be linked to administrative decisions taken some thirty years ago. Consideration for the long-term adverse effects of drinking water with excess fluoride had not been taken and now, corrective action will need to incorporate inter-disciplinary expertise.