Prevalence of dental fluorosis in children from non-water-fluoridated Halmstad, Sweden: fluoride toothpaste use in infancy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis in children aged 7-9 years from non-water-fluoridated Halmstad, Sweden, and to relate the results to their reported fluoride exposure history during infancy.


METHODS
In Spring 2002, a questionnaire distributed to a cluster random sample of 1039 parents enquired into their child's early oral health behaviors and included a "photographic toothpaste menu". The permanent upper anterior teeth (13-23) were examined clinically (+10% repeats) using a modified Thylstrup-Fejerskov Index.


RESULTS
Complete data were available for 53% (n=548) of the sampled children. The prevalence offluorosis at any level was 49% (95% CI: 45-54%), and of fluorosis with esthetic concern (TF score > or =3) 4% (95% CI: 3-6%). Based on repeat observations, reliability was good (kappa = 0.82). There was no statistically significant increased risk of dental fluorosis prevalence associated with any of the fluoride exposure risk factors examined, including reported usage of (1000 ppm) fluoride toothpaste from time of first deciduous tooth eruption.


CONCLUSIONS
While there were low levels of dental fluorosis of esthetic concern, half the children had some degree of dental fluorosis. The prevalence of dental fluorosis was not explained by the risk factors, including fluoride toothpaste usage as explored in this study.
Conway
David I
DI
Dental Public Health Unit, Level 8, University of Glasgow Dental Hospital and School, 378 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3JZ, UK. D.Conway@dental.gla.ac.uk
MacPherson
Lorna M D
LM
Stephen
Kenneth W
KW
Gilmour
W Harper
WH
Petersson
Lars G
LG
D000367:Age Factors; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D004522:Educational Status; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis; D009050:Fluorosis, Dental / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education; D015995:Prevalence; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012923:Social Class; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000379:methods; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D014100:Toothpastes; D005459:Fluorides