Las aportaciones de la ingeniería al progreso de la fluoruración

Abstract

Considerable changes have been occurring in the original concepts of drinking water quality, and at present the principles of water treatment are more generally accepted, especially those concerning the elimination of harmful matter and fluoridation programs that improve dental health by maintaining a low and accurate level of fluoride in the water

Current engineering advances in materials, supplies, equipment, and processes are so effective that the accurate and safe fluoridation of all water systems is possible. The acceptance of the addition to water of such substances as aluminum, phosphorus, calcium and chlorine compounds, which have helped improve water systems, has made acceptable also the addition of flourides which not only improve the system but also increase the effectiveness of drinking water in protecting users against dental caries

The problem of obtaining competent personnel responsible for drinking water systems in small communities with little economic resources, has been solved by contracting a single expert to operate and maintain the equipment, including fluoridation equipment, used by several communities at the same time. For this purpose, education and training courses for such operators have also been established

Other important contributions of engineering to fluoridation include uniformity in the quality of the fluoride compounds; use of fluorite, a compound which ...(AU)