Acute fluoride poisoning after ingestion of sodium fluoride tablets

Between 1978 and 1983, at least 20 children with fluoride poisoning were admitted to two major children's hospitals in Brisbane. Data on telephone calls received by Poisons Information Centres in Australia about fluoride toxicity show that Brisbane, the water supply of which is not fluoridated, received approximately twice as many calls per head of population as were received in Sydney and Melbourne. Concern is also expressed at the standard of packaging of fluoride tablets currently marketed in Australia. A treatment plan for cases of acute fluoride poisoning after oral ingestion is presented.