Current Brazilian law regarding water fluoridation classification is dichotomous with respect to the risks of and benefits for oral diseases, and fluoride (F) concentrations less than 0.6 or above 0.8 mg F/L are considered outside the normal limits. Thus, the law does not consider that both caries and fluorosis are dependent on the dosage and duration of fluoride exposure because they are both chronic diseases. Therefore, this study evaluated the quality of water fluoridation in Maringá, PR, Brazil, considering a new classification for the concentration of F in water the supply, based on the anticaries benefit and risk of fluorosis (CECOL/USP, 2011). Water samples (n = 325) were collected monthly over one year from 28 distribution water networks: 20 from treatment plants and 8 from artesian wells. F concentrations were determined using a specific ion electrode. The average F concentration was 0.77 mg F/L (ppm F), ranging from 0.44 to 1.22 mg F/L. Considering all of the water samples analyzed, 83.7% of them presented from 0.55 to 0.84 mg F/L, and according to the new classification used, they would provide maximum anticaries benefit with a low risk of fluorosis. This percentage was lower (75.4%) in the water samples supplied from artesian wells than from those distributed by the treatment plant (86%). In conclusion, based on the new classification of water F concentrations, the quality of water fluoridation in Maringá is adequate and is within the range of the best balance between risk and benefit.

OBJETIVO: Diagnosticar a prevalência de restaurações de amálgama e resina composta realizadas por profissionais no serviço público e estudantes universitários de um município do noroeste do estado do Paraná. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionadas aleatoriamente dez unidades básicas de saúde, das quais foram consultados 500 prontuários de pacientes com 18 a 50 anos, de ambos os sexos. Para analisar a prevalência das restaurações realizadas pelos estudantes, aplicou-se um questionário aos estudantes do quarto e quinto ano contendo perguntas relativas ao número de restaurações e tipo de material utilizado nas atividades clínicas intramuros. RESULTADOS: Nas unidades básicas de saúde, 66% das restaurações foram feitas com amálgama e 34% com resina composta. Na escola, os estudantes do quarto ano responderam que quando estavam no terceiro ano, de um total de 367 restaurações, 21,5% foram feitas com amálgama e 78,5% com resina. Para o grupo de estudantes do quinto ano, a porcentagem de dentes restaurados com amálgama foi de 14,3%, 12,0% e 10,2%, respectivamente, para quando estavam no 3º, 4º e 5º ano do curso. Os resultados obtidos revelaram que a indicação do material restaurador nos dois cenários é divergente. CONCLUSÃO: Nas unidades básicas de saúde a maioria das restaurações realizadas foi de amálgama enquanto na escola, a maior prevalência foi de resina composta. Deve-se refletir se a formação profissional tem desenvolvido adequadamente as competências necessárias para a tomada de decisão e o atendimento às necessidades da população.

OBJECTIVE: To diagnose the prevalence of amalgam and resin composite restorations performed by professionals in public service and university students in a municipality in the Northeast of the State of Paraná. METHODS: Ten basic health units were randomly selected, at which 500 clinical record charts of patients of both sexes aged from 18 to 50 years were consulted. To analyze the prevalence of restorations performed by students, a questionnaire was applied to 4th and 5th year students, containing questions relative to the number of restorations and type of material using in intramural clinical activities. RESULTS: In the basic health units, 66% of restorations were performed with amalgam, and 34% with resin composite. At the dental school, 4th year students responded that when they were in the 3rd year, out of a total of 367 restorations, 21.5% were performed with amalgam and 78.5% with resin composite. For the 5th year group of students, the percentage of teeth restored with amalgam was 14.3%, 12.0% and10.2%, when they were in the 3rd, 4the and 5th years of the course, respectively. The results obtained revealed that the indication of the restoration material differed in the two scenarios. CONCLUSION: In the basic health units, the majority of restorations were performed with amalgam, whereas at the dental school there was higher prevalence of resin composite restorations. One must reflect whether professional education has adequately developed the necessary competencies for decision making and meeting the needs of this population.