Prevalence of dental fluorosis in children taking part in an oral health programme including fluoride tablet supplements from the age of 2 years.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prevalence of dental fluorosis in children who had participated in an oral health programme between the ages 2-5 years, including fluoride tablets from the age of 2 years.


METHODS
The study group consisted of 135 10- to 11-year-old children who had participated in the programme, including parent education, tooth-brushing instruction and prescribed fluoride tablets (0.25 mg NaF) (2-3 years: 1 tablet/day; 3-5 years: 2 tablets/day). The prevalence of dental fluorosis in the study group was compared with that in a nonintervention reference group consisting of 129 children of the same ages. The analysis was based on photos of the permanent maxillary front teeth using the Thylstrup & Fejerskov (TF) Index.


RESULTS
No statistically significant difference in prevalence of dental fluorosis was seen between the two groups. Forty-three percent of the children in the study group and 38% in the reference group had fluorosis, the majority of a mild nature (TF-score 1). None had a TF score above 2. The pattern was the same after correction for parent reported intake of tablets at 3 and 5 years of age.


CONCLUSIONS
Introduction of fluoride tablets at the age of 2 years did not result in increased prevalence of dental fluorosis.
Eckersten
Charlotte
C
Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden.
Pylvänen
Lena
L
Schröder
Ulla
U
Twetman
Svante
S
Wennhall
Inger
I
Matsson
Lars
L
D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005459:Fluorides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D009050:Fluorosis, Dental / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006078:Government Programs; D006801:Humans; D023861:Photography, Dental; D015995:Prevalence; D011636:Public Health Dentistry / Q000379:methods; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D013607:Tablets
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D013607:Tablets; D005459:Fluorides