Prevalence of dental fluorosis and associated risk factors in 11-15 year old school children of Kanyakumari District, Tamilnadu, India: a cross sectional survey.
OBJECTIVE
This study presents data on the prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis in 11-15-years-old school children of Kanyakumari district, TamilNadu, India, and also the relationships between prevalence of dental fluorosis and selected risk factors.


METHODS
A total of 1800 children, from all the nine blocks of Kanyakumari district, studying in classes 6-10 were examined using type III examination. The assessment form designed specifically for this study was used while examining each student.


RESULTS
Dental fluorosis was present in 15.8% (285 children) of the study population and the community fluorosis index was calculated to be 0.27. The prevalence of dental fluorosis varied from as low as 1.4% in some blocks to as high as 29.4% in some others. There was a significant difference in the level of dental fluorosis between rural and urban residents ( P < 0.001). The prevalence of dental fluorosis was higher in children who consumed pipe water as compared to children who consumed ground water. 65% of the children with dental fluorosis had no caries, indicating the positive effects of fluoride.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of dental fluorosis can be attributed to the level of fluoride in the drinking water as it exhibited a step-wise increase when the water fluoride levels increased from 1.5-1.7 ppm. Measures for defluoridation of drinking water before distribution has to be taken in the high prevalence blocks to lower the burden of dental fluorosis in this community.
Baskaradoss
Jagan Kumar
JK
Department of Community Dentistry, Rajas Dental College and Hospital, Dr. MGR Medical University, Tamilnadu, India. drjaganb@gmail.com
Clement
Roger B
RB
Narayanan
Aswath
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology; D004326:Drinking; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000032:analysis; D009050:Fluorosis, Dental / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013662:Tea; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000145:classification; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D013662:Tea; D014100:Toothpastes; D005459:Fluorides