Total and free fluoride concentrations of African dentifrices marketed in West Africa.

Objective: To determine the fluoride concentrations of commercial dentifrices marketed in West Africa.

Design: In vitro measurement of the total fluoride concentration by liquid gas chromatography, and of the free fluoride concentration with a fluoride sensitive electrode.

Setting: Collection of fluoride dentifrices in public markets and supermarkets in and around the capital of The Republic of The Gambia, Banjul, after a systematic search.