title: The effect of lifetime fluoridation exposure on dental caries experience of younger rural adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to confirm whether the level of lifetime fluoridation exposure is associated with lower dental caries experience in younger adults (15-46 years).
  
  
  METHODS
  Data of the cohort born between 1960 and 1990 residing outside Australia's capital cities from the 2004-2006 Australian National Survey of Adult Oral Health were analysed. Residential history questionnaires were used to determine the percentage of each person's lifetime exposure to fluoridated water (<50%/50+%). Examiners recorded decayed, missing and filled permanent teeth (DMFT). Socio-demographic variables, periodontal risk factors, and access to dental care were included in multivariable least-squares regression models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In bivariate analysis, the higher level of fluoridation category had significantly lower DMFT (mean 6.01 [SE=0.62]) than the lower level of fluoridation group (9.14 [SE=0.73] p<0.01) and lower numbers of filled teeth (4.08 [SE=0.43], 7.06 [SE=0.62], p<0.01). In multivariate analysis, the higher number of full-time equivalent dentists per 100,000 people was associated with a lower mean number of missing teeth (regression coefficient estimate=-1.75, p=0.03), and the higher level of water fluoridation with a lower mean DMFT (-2.45, p<0.01) and mean number of filled teeth (-2.52, p<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The higher level of lifetime fluoridation exposure was associated with substantially lower caries experience in younger rural adults, largely due to a lower number of filled teeth.
authors.affiliation: Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health, School of Dentistry, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Centre for Rural Health, The University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Crocombe
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Slade
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Spencer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002638:Chewing Gum; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000145:classification; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D005260:Female; D005457:Fluoridation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012907:Smoking; D012923:Social Class; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000145:classification; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D002638:Chewing Gum; D014100:Toothpastes; D005459:Fluorides
keywords: Allied health; dental health; health outcomes research; oral epidemiology; rural health