A study of fluoride effects on teeth of school children was conducted in order to determine the usefulness of fluoride for preventing dental caries. Nine hundred and thirty six(936) elementary school children were selected from Chongju where children drank fluoridated water. Eight hundred and thirty six(836) from Seoul where children applied fluoride topically, and eight hundred and three(803) from Kumi where the children drank non fluoridated water(control). DMFs of school children were compared by the sources of fluoride. This study was conducted from May 1, through June 15, 2000. The results are summarized as follows; 1. The DMF rate of male school children topically applying fluoride was 51.4%, that of female children was 56.1%, and that of both males and females was 54.0%, The DMF rate of male children of control group was 72.4%, that of females was 77.5% and that of both males and females was 74.8%. 2. The DMF rate of male children drinking fluoridated tap water was 56.1%, that of females was 54.1%, and that of both males and females was 55.5%. The rates of control group were 72.4% for males, 77.5% for females and 74.8% for male and female children respectively. 3. The difference of DMF rates between the group of children who drank fluoridated water and applied fluoride topically, and control group was statistically significant. 4. The difference of DMF rates between the children who drank fluoridated water and the children who applied fluoride topically were not statistically significant. 5. The difference of DMFT rates between 5th graders who applied fluoride topically and the 5th graders of control group was not statistically significant. However, the difference of DMFT rates of the 6th graders who applied fluoride topically and the same graders of control group were statistically significant. The difference of DMF rates between 5th and 6th graders who drank fluoridated tap water and the same graders of control group was statistically significant. 6. The difference of DMFT rates between children drinking fluoridated tap water and children applying fluoride topically was statistically significant.