The correlation between the DMFT of the 12-year-old children and the concentration of fluorine in drinking water from the Southeast region of the Republic of Macedonia

The aim of this study is to determine the correlation between the DMFT index of 12-yearold children from the Southeast region and the concentration of fluorine in drinking water from the populated areas where children live. Material and methods: In the examination, 129 children were enrolled, out of 2 central and 2 regional primary schools, at which the DMFT index was determined. The children live in 2 different cities and 2 different villages. Four water samples were taken from the examined area to determine the fluorine concentration by using the electrochemical method using the pH / ISE meter-Thermo-Orion with a special F-electrode (Thermo Orion Ion Plus Fluoride Electrode) at the Institute for public health. Spearman’s method was used to determine the correlation between the specified variables. Results: The total number of children in the examined sample was 129, out of which 70 (54.3%) were male and 59(45.7%) were female. The average DMFT index in this group of children was 1.94 with a standard deviation of ± 2.5. Maximum concentration of fluorine in drinking water of 1.36 ppmF was determined in the village Bansko, and 0.36 ppmF in the village Murtino, while the minimum (0.08 ppmF) in the city Strumica. Correlation of the DMFT index in 12-year old children from the Southeast region and the concentration of fluorine in the drinking water has a negative, indirect correlation, with the value of the coefficient r = 0.1655. Conclusion: The correlation between the DMFT index and the concentration of drinking water is a negative, indirect correlation and statistically, this correlation is highly significant (p < 0.05).