Fluoretação da água em capitais brasileiras no início do século XXI: a efetividade em questão Water fluoridation in Brazilians capitals in the beginning of the XXI century: the effectiveness in question

The evolution of dental caries prevalence in Brazilian capitals was analyzed by me- asuring average percent difference in each city from 2003 to 2010. Between 2003 and 2010, we observed an average decline in the DMFT values in the fluoridated capitals (-8.6%) and an ave- rage increase of approximately 12.8% in non-fluoridated capitals. We concluded that fluoridation of public water supplies remains as a strategic measure for preventing dental caries in Brazilian capitals, despite concomitant exposure to multiple sources of fluoride. It should not only continue but be expanded as part of health equity-based public policies.