Abstract

Dental caries is a widespread infectious disease influenced by bacterial activity, dietary factors, and host

susceptibility. Community water fluoridation has been a key public health measure for caries prevention,

particularly in children. The optimal fluoride concentration in drinking water (0.7 mg/L) balances caries

reduction with minimal fluorosis risk. This study assessed fluoride levels in drinking water and their

correlation with dental caries in primary school children in Gharyan, Libya. A cross-sectional study was

conducted on 350 children (aged 7–10 years) from urban and rural schools in Gharyan. Water samples from

five stores and one groundwater source were analyzed for fluoride concentration using an ion-selective

electrode. Dental caries was assessed using the dmft/DMFT index. Fluoride levels in water stores were

negligible (0.0–0.1 mg/L), while unfiltered groundwater exhibited high concentrations (6.0–7.0 mg/L),

exceeding WHO guidelines (1.5 mg/L). The low fluoride availability in most drinking sources suggests

limited caries-preventive effects from water fluoridation in this region. The study highlights insufficient

fluoride exposure in Gharyan’s public water supply, potentially contributing to higher caries prevalence.

Further research is needed to evaluate alternative fluoride delivery methods and assess groundwater safety

to optimize oral health outcomes.

Keywords. Fluoride Concentration, Drinking Water, Dental Caries, Primary School

ABSTRACT

The goal of this study was to investigate the occurrence and distribution of hyperdontia, hypodontia (which

includes mesiodens and fused teeth), talon cusps, microdontia (which includes peg-shaped lateral incisors), and

macrodontia in patients attending private dental clinics in Gharyan, Libya. During ordinary patient

examinations, the inquiry was undertaken clinically and radiographically. A total of 1219 participants were

included in the study (358 males and 861 females). 57 of patients had dental anomalies in the percentage of

(4.67%), 21 patients (1.72%) had missing teeth, 15 of them had one missing permanent tooth and 6 patients had

two missing permanent teeth (the lower 2nd premolar was the most tooth loss 0.49%). In addition, the study

showed that 16 patients had supernumerary teeth, 10 patients had microdontia and 7 patients had macrodontia,

whereas, two patients had talon cusp. Early detection of a treatable abnormality is critical in developing a

thorough treatment strategy for the patient. Some of the unpleasant impact should be avoidable. In some

circumstances; functional, cosmetic, and occlusal discord can be detected early enough to warrant interpret of

sessional consultation and treatment.

KEYWORDS: dental anomalies; hypodontia; microdontia; macrodontia