Urinary fluoride levels in South Australian pre‐school children in summer and winter

A bstract — Summer and winter samples of first‐morning urine from 168 pre‐school children attending kindergartens in fluoridated and non‐fluoridated communities in South Australia were analysed for fluoride and creatinine concentration. The urinary fluoride: creatinine ratio, as an index of fluoride ingestion, was greater in winter for both the fluoridated and non‐fluoridated area samples, the difference being interpreted as a result of increased losses of fluoride through the sweat in summer. The results do not indicate a need to vary the concentration of fluoride in the reticulated water supply with the seasons.