The prevalence of dental fluorosis and its associated factors in Salem district.
BACKGROUND
There are various regions in India that have high levels of fluoride in drinking water sources. Many people residing in such places suffer from dental fluorosis (DF).


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prevalence of DF in children residing in Salem and also to find any correlation between DF and other related factors.


METHODS
One school from each block of Salem (total 21 blocks) was selected for the study. A single examiner had evaluated untreated caries, lesions, and DF (for permanent anterior teeth and molars) using the Dean's fluorosis index, in all children. Water fluoride level determination at each school was done using the Tamil Nadu Water Fluoridation and Drainage Board field kit. Other factors that may have contributed to DF were assessed using a questionnaire, which was provided to each student. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using the SPSS software version 11.5.


METHODS
Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
DF was present in 56.9% of the children examined. It was mostly seen in 9 years old (72%) and male (59%) children. A positive correlation was found between the occurrence of DF and the duration of residence in a place with high water fluoride content, consumption of borewell water (64%), the parts per million of fluoride in drinking water, consumption of black tea (59%). However, no correlation was found between DF, dental caries, consumption of milk, or consumption of foods cooked in aluminum vessels.


CONCLUSIONS
There was a correlation between DF and factors such as male gender, bore well water consumption, black tea consumption and the duration of residence in a place with high water fluoride content.
Department of Oral Pathology, Vinayaka Mission's Sankarachariyar Dental College, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India.
Maya
M
Ramesh
Department of Oral Pathology, Sri Ramachandra Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Malathi
M
Narasimhan
Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Vinayaka Mission's Sankarachariyar Dental College, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India.
Ramesh
R
Krishnan
Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Goa Dental College and Hospital, Bambolim, Goa, India.
Paul
P
Chalakkal
Department of Molecular Medicine, Penang International Dental College, VMU, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India.
Rita Mary
RM
Aruna
Department of Pathology, Madras Medical Mission, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Sarah
S
Kuruvilah
Black tea; Salem; Tamil Nadu; bore well water; dental fluorosis; school water