title: Inhibitory effect of barium on human caries prevalence.
abstract: The aim of this investigation was to determine if barium in drinking water, in combination with fluoride, has an effect on caries prevalence in a human population. Children, aged 12-14 yr, were selected from two towns which had a similar socioeconomic and racial balance but one had a barium concentration of 8.0-10.0 ppm in its drinking water and the other a level which was less than 0.03 ppm. The caries prevalence, as mean DMFS, was significantly lower in the high barium town (2.76 +/- 0.82) than in the low barium town (5.14 +/- 0.65). The difference in mottling scores between the two towns was not significant (P = 0.44, chi-square test). This difference in mean DMFS between the high and low barium communities could not be explained by an effect of other covariate factors.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Zdanowicz
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Featherstone
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Espeland
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Curzon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001464:Barium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002648:Child; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois; D008297:Male; D014881:Water Supply
chemical_list: D001464:Barium