Investigation of the possible associations between fluorosis, fluoride exposure, and childhood behavior problems.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the potential association between fluoride exposure and behavior problems in children, as well as the prevalence of and risk factors for fluorosis.


METHODS
Children between the ages of 7 and 1 years (N = 197) were included in the study and were examined for dental fluorosis using the Modified Dean's Index. Parents of subjects completed and returned three questionnaires which investigated their children's history of exposures to fluoride, social and medical backgrounds, and behavior using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL).


RESULTS
Sixty-nine percent of the study participants demonstrated fluorosis with very mild fluorosis being the most common (39%), while 13% demonstrated moderate to severe fluorosis. Using a summation of the Modified Dean's index (Sum of 8), we divided the children into high fluorosis (HF) and low fluorosis (LF) groups. These groups were compared to each other with respect to fluoride exposures and behavior.


CONCLUSIONS
Although there was no association between the fluoride exposures in aggregate and fluorosis, there was a significant association between supplemental fluoride exposure from ages 0-3 years and fluorosis. There was no association between behavior problems and dental fluorosis in this population.
Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
L
L
Morgan
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E
Allred
M
M
Tavares
D
D
Bellinger
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H
Needleman
D000367:Age Factors; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D002657:Child Development; D005260:Female; D005457:Fluoridation; D005459:Fluorides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009050:Fluorosis, Dental / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014881:Water Supply
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D014100:Toothpastes; D005459:Fluorides