Technical Abstract: The National Fluoride Database and Intake Assessment Study (NFDIAS) is a collaborative effort between the Nutrient Data Laboratory (NDL), Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the University of Minnesota Nutrition Coordinating Center (NCC). The NFDIAS is supported by the National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research and the National Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health, to collect and analyze data for the USDA National Fluoride Database (NFD) and for development of a computer-based food and beverage intake survey tool. The University of Iowa College of Dentistry cooperated with NDL to conduct fluoride analyses for both the National Fluoride Database and for the NCC Software Demonstration Study. The purpose of this fluoride methodology work was to review different methodological techniques used for the assessment of fluoride in soft drinks and beers, and compare results using different analytical methods with and without a prior decarbonation or degassing treatment. Results showed no significant differences between the two groups. Whether or not decarbonation or degassing processes were conducted prior to analysis, the fluoride assay results were the same. Therefore, decarbonation/degassing was deemed unnecessary prior to fluoride analysis for the USDA National Fluoride Database. Fluoride is among those nutrients with Dietary Reference Intakes. Fluoride has an affinity for calcified tissues and attention is being given to fluoride exposure and it's role in bone health and disease prevention. Accurate assessments of fluoride intake are critical to the NFDIAS collaborative effort. The USDA National Fluoride Database includes values for 400 food and beverage items and it may be accessed online at NDL's Web site, www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp. It will serve as an important data resource for nutrition-related research, planning, and nationwide policy development and as part of NCC's computer-based fluoride intake assessment tool, it will contribute to important studies of fluoride intake in humans, including research on dental fluorosis (tooth mottling), the prevention of dental caries, and in evaluating the impact of inadequate or excessive fluoride intake on bone health and osteporosis.