[Measuring drinking water fluoridation in Vorarlberg]

A pilot study was undertaken in Vorarlberg to determine the concentration of fluoride ions in drinking water. The results showed that 91.3% of the population was supplied by drinking water containing under 0.3 ppm fluoride and the remaining 8.7% by drinking water containing 0.3-0.6 ppm fluoride. Hence, the fluoride concentration was too low to prevent caries in all areas of Vorarlberg. Exogenous fluoridation of the drinking water or table salt in all districts of Vorarlberg is discussed. Measurements are planned for the whole of Austria, which may lead to a general recommendation for fluoridation of the water or salt nationwide.