Australian Dental Council (ADC) Practice Test

To determine the appropriate supplemental fluoride concentration for a 3-year-old child living in an area with water fluoridation at 0.5 ppm, it is important to consider the dental health guidelines regarding fluoride supplementation. The recommended level of fluoride supplementation is based on the total exposure to fluoride from all sources, including drinking water. In areas where water is fluoridated to 0.5 ppm, the additional fluoride supplementation is generally not needed for young children. The reasoning is that 0.5 ppm provides enough fluoride to aid in the prevention of dental caries without the risk of exceeding the optimal fluoride intake, which could lead to dental fluorosis. Most health organizations, including the Australian Dental Association, recommend that children should not receive supplemental fluoride if the concentration in their drinking water is already at or above 0.3 ppm. Since 0.5 ppm is above this threshold, there is no additional fluoride supplementation recommended for this child. Thus, the correct response reflects the recommendation that no additional fluoride supplementation is necessary, aligning with guidelines aimed at ensuring a safe and effective fluoride exposure for young children.