title: Effects of water fluoridation on caries experience in the primary dentition in a high caries risk community in Queensland, Australia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In December 2008, artificial water fluoridation was introduced for the first time to the Logan-Beaudesert district in the state of Queensland, Australia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of water fluoridation in the primary dentition in this community after a period of 36 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children aged 4-9 years with clinical examinations and bitewing radiographs (BWs) taken before water fluoridation (pre-F) were randomly selected as comparison controls for age matched children who had been exposed to a mean period of 36 months of water fluoridation (post-F). A total of 201 sets of pre-F BWs from children (mean age 6.95 ± 1.05 years) and 256 sets of post-F BWs from children (mean age 7.19 ± 1.23 years) attending schools in the district were randomly selected. Caries experience in the primary dentition was determined as decayed, missing or filled teeth/surfaces (dmft/dmfs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The caries prevalence for the pre-F group was 87% compared to 75% in the post-F group (Odds ratio (OR): 0.44, 95% CI: 0.27-0.72). Overall, there was a 19 percent reduction of mean dmft from 4.54 in the pre-F group to 3.66 in the post-F group (p = 0.005). After fluoridation, the dmfs was reduced from 6.68 to 5.17 (p = 0.0056). The distal surfaces of maxillary first primary molars experienced the greatest reduction (26%) in caries experience after water fluoridation (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After only 36 months of water fluoridation there was a significant drop in caries prevalence from 87 to 75% and a 19% reduction in caries experience in a community with one of the highest caries rates in Australia.
authors: Centre for Paediatric Dentistry, The University of Queensland School of Dentistry, Herston, Australia.
authors: Rongzhen
authors: R
authors: Koh
authors: Margaret L
authors: ML
authors: Pukallus
authors: Bruce
authors: B
authors: Newman
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Foley
authors: Laurence J
authors: LJ
authors: Walsh
authors: W Kim
authors: WK
authors: Seow
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003733:Dental Caries Susceptibility; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000473:pathology; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003804:Dentin / Q000473:pathology; D005457:Fluoridation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology; D011203:Poverty; D015995:Prevalence; D011793:Queensland / Q000453:epidemiology; D016300:Radiography, Bitewing; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000473:pathology