---

Fluorine is an element, the 9th in the periodic table. Fluoride is a naturally occurring compound that can help prevent dental decay. The fluoride ion comes from the element fluorine .Fluorine is an abundant element in the earth´s crust in the form of the fluoride ion. Systemic fluoride is ingested through water, salt, sugar and milk supplies or tablets, dietary or food supplementation Water fluoridation is defined as controlled upward adjustment of the concentration of fluoride in the community water supply so as to achieve maximum caries reduction at 1ppm of fluoride and clinically insignificance level of fluorosis. Salt fluoridation is the controlled addition of fluoride, usually sodium and potassium fluoride, during the manufacture of salt for human consumption. Fluoridation of salt is a best alternative method to community water fluoridation for prevention of dental caries in a mass scale.Milk fluoridation is the addition of a measured quantity of fluoride to bottled or packaged milk to be drunk by children. Milk is an essential compound of the human diet throughout the life, both as a source of micro-nutrients and macro-nutrients.

---

Dr Irfan Ali is presently pursuing his post graduation in Department of Public Health Dentistry from Divya Jyoti College of Dental Sciences and Research, Modinagar, U.P. He has done lot of research work in the field of dentistry and has many national publications too.He attended various national conferences and has achieved best Paper presentation.

---