title: Prevalence of Dental Fluorosis and associated Risk Factors in Bagalkot District, Karnataka, India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An earlier epidemiological study by these authors revealed fluorosis at very low levels of fluoride concentrations in drinking water.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of present study was to investigate risk factors of dental fluorosis in permanent teeth in the villages of northern Karnataka, India.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present survey was carried out in three villages of Hungund Taluk, Bagalkot District, Karnataka, India, with the fluoride concentration of 0.136, 0.381, and 1.36 ppm. Children aged between 9 and 15, with permanent teeth, were examined for dental fluorosis using Dean's index, as per WHO criteria. Required relevant information regarding risk factors was obtained through a questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data entry and analysis were performed using SPSS for Windows 16.0. Comparison of means of different indices by the three groups was performed using ANOVA and t-test (p < 0.05). Bivariate analysis was performed to identify significant risk factors that affected prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis. Those variables showing a statistically significant association (p < 0.05) on χ2were entered into multiple logistic regressions to assess their independent effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this study, we analyzed risk factors for both prevalence and severity of fluorosis. From multiple logistic regression analysis, only fluoride concentration in drinking water was found significant with prevalence of fluorosis and only nutritional status showed significant association with severity of fluorosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Presence or absence of dental fluorosis in permanent teeth was significantly associated with fluoride concentration in drinking water. Once present, its severity was determined by nutritional status of the children - malnourished children exhibiting severe form of fluorosis.
  Mahantesha T, Dixit UB, Nayakar RP, Ashwin D Ramagoni NK, Ellore VPK. Prevalence of Dental Fluorosis and associated Risk Factors in Bagalkot District, Karnataka, India. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2016;9(3):256-263.
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Navodaya Dental College & Hospital, Raichur, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Taranatha
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mahantesha
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Dr. D.Y. Patil Dental College & Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Uma B
authors.initials: UB
authors.lastname: Dixit
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Prosthodontics, KLE Vishwanath Katti Institute of Dental Sciences, Belagavi, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Ramesh P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Nayakar
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Kannur Dental College, Anjarakandy, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Devasya
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ashwin
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Navodaya Dental College & Hospital, Raichur, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Naveen K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Ramagoni
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Pedodontics, Navodaya Dental College & Hospital, Raichur, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Vijaya P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Kamavaram Ellore
keywords: Dental fluorosis; Fluoride; Fluorosis risk factors; Nutritional status.