Vol. 63, No. 3, September-Desember 2014 | Hal. 95-98 | ISSN 0024-9548 In vitro study of fluoride absorption via mouse skin (Studi penelitian in vitro absorpsi fluoride melalui kulit tikus) Diyah Fatmasari, 1 Iwan Dwi Prahasto, 2 Akhmad Kharis Nugroho, 3 and Widjijono 4 1 Department of Dental Health, Health Polytechnic of Semarang 2 Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Gadjah Mada 3 Department of BiopharmaceuƟcal, Faculty of Pharmacy Universitas Gadjah Mada 4 Department of Biomaterial, Faculty of DenƟstry Universitas Gadjah Mada Correspondence: Diyah Fatmasari, c/o: Departemen Kesehatan Gigi, Politeknik Kesehatan Semarang. ABSTRACT Background: Fluoride plays important roles in reducing dental caries by improving remineralization process and strengthen email through forming fluoroapatite which is more resistant to acid. Systemic fluoride have disadvantages due to its difficulties to control the dose and related to first hepatic metabolism. Fluoride in systemic mode without passing metabolism with small and controlled dose need to be developed such as through Transdermal route. Purpose: The purpose of this research is to reveal the possibility how fluoride solution with and without enhancer can penetrate skin. Methods: Quasy experimental design with post test only control group design approach was used. Transport test with Franz Like Diffusion cell used as the instrument in vitro skin permeation test with hairless and full thickness mouse skin as membrane between donor and recipient cell. Three groups of donor cell were fluoride solution; fluoride added oleic acid solution; oleic acid solution and recipient solution CMF PBS 0,1 M pH 7,4. Sample was taken for time interval of 1, 4, 8, 12, 24 hours and fluoride contained was measured by Potensiometer Spesific Ion Fluoride. Results: Research result showed an influence of transport test both on NaF solution and NaF+oleat acid solution (Anova Sig: 0.00 and 0.00) however on control group showed no significancy (sig. 0.07). Solution of NaF+oleic acid had higher penetrating power than other solutions. Conclusion: It can be concluded that fluoride can penetrate to the skin and chemical enhancer addition can increase the penetration. Key words: Fluoride, oleic acid, transport test, permeation INTRODUCTION Dental caries is a disease involves multi factorial aspects of dietary carbohydrates and bacteria in the oral cavity, such as Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus. 1 A new theory of caries states the balance of minerals structure in enamel is determined by balancing of demineralization and remineralization process that occurs in oral environment. Each time sucrose atached biofilm, the bacteria will convert sugar into acid, increase solubility of enamel to acid. 2 Among several caries preventive strategies, the use of fluoride has been proven t be effectively reduce the incidence of caries based on clinical trials, literature reviews and meta-analysis involving various fluoride preparations. 3 Current research recommends the use of fluoride in low doses, administered continuously, slow release fluoride is more effective than the use of topical application. 4 Toumba and Cursons states low-dose fluoride is slowly released to maintain the good bioavailability of the therapeutic window. 5 Due to some shortcomings of the various preparations of fluoride, one should consider an alternative route that is more convenient for the patient in terms of application and can achieve the desired dose therapeutic. 6 Transdermal drug delivery systems (TDD) is the route which drug released from the dosage form has to pass through the skin layers by a multistep sequential process before it reaches systemic circulation. 7 The step