title: Assessment of fluoride level in groundwater and prevalence of dental fluorosis in Didwana block of Nagaur district, Central Rajasthan, India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In India, for the high concentration of fluoride in groundwater, people are at risk of dental fluorosis. The problem is common in various states of India. The condition in Rajasthan is worse where all districts have such a problem.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the fluoride concentration in groundwater and prevalence of dental fluorosis in Didwana block of Nagaur district, Central Rajasthan, India.
  
  
  METHODS
  The fluoride concentration in water of 54 villages was measured electrochemically, using fluoride ion selective electrode. Dental fluorosis was assessed in 1136 people residing in study area by Dean's classification for dental fluorosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The fluoride concentration in groundwater in studied sites ranged from 0.5 to 8.5 mg/L. The concentration of fluoride was more than the maximum permissible limit set by WHO and Bureau of Indian Standards (1 mg/L) in 48 groundwater sources. Of 1136 people studied, 788 (69.4%; 95% CI: 66.7%-72.1%) had dental fluoros---252 had mild and 74 had severe dental fluorosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High level of fluoride in drinking water of Didwana block of Nagaur district, Central Rajasthan, India, causes dental fluorosis in most people in the region and is an important health problem that needs prompt attention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Banasthali University, Banasthali Vidyapeeth, District-Tonk, Rajasthan, India-304 022. dr.arifmohammed@gmail.com.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arif
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Husain
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000032:analysis*; D009050:Fluorosis, Dental / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D060587:Groundwater / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D005459:Fluorides