title: [Epidemiology of dental caries in children].
abstract: Epidemiological surveys showed a marked decrease of caries prevalence in French children during the last 20 years. One of the main factor of this improvement appears to be the extension of the prevention based on fluoride use. Nevertheless, the prevalence in caries in children remains higher in France than in many other countries. At the same time, no severe cases of dental fluorosis were observed, recent surveys showing that 97% of children had no sign of dental fluorosis, and 3% mild, very mild or doubtful fluorosis without esthetic consequences. In order to improve the dental status of French children, caries prevention by fluoride must therefore be reinforced and extended to all infants and children. However, medical fluoride prescriptions must take into account the possible other sources of fluoride resulting from salt fluoridation and water with high fluoride content, in order to prevent dental fluorosis.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire d'épidémiologie et de santé publique en odontologie, université Louis-Pasteur, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Obry-Musset
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005457:Fluoridation / Q000009:adverse effects; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015995:Prevalence