ABSTRACT
Objective To study local people's habits and customs concerning the prevention of dental fluorosis in an indoor coal-combustion-type fluorosis area of Zhaotong city Yunnan province, and to provide reference value for monitoring and control of the disease. Methods In 2008, 600 people of a 12-year-old group (400 people) and a 35 - 44-year-old group(200 people) were examined for dental fluorosis and oral health status in an indoor coal-combustion-type fluorosis area of Zhaotong. A questionnaire survey of 120 students and 60 adults was carried out on their habits and customs, stove changing status, knowledge of prevention of dental fluorosis, social psychology status, oral health behavior and their need for medical treatment. Results The total prevalence of dental fluorosis was 91.0% (546/600), dental fluorosis index was 2.58. The total prevalence of dental fluorosis of 12-year-old group was 86.5%(346/400), and dental fluorosis index was 2.12. The total prevalence of dental fluorosis of rural student was 90.5% (181/200), which was obviously higher in the rural group than the urban group [82.5% (165/200), χ2 = 5.48, P < 0.05]. The total prevalence of dental fluorosis of 35-44-year-old group was 100% (200/200), which was obviously higher than that of the 12-year-old group(χ2 = 29.67, P < 0.01). The rates of using coal, baking of food, changing stoves were 66.7% (60/90), 14.4% (13/90),57.8% (52/90), respectively, and these values of the urban were much lower than those of the rural[95.6%(86/90) ,31.1%(28/90) ,76.7%(69/90),χ2 = 24.51,7.11,7.29, all P < 0.01]. Only 23.3% (42/180) of people surveied had the knowledge of prevention of dental fluorosis, and the rate in the adult group[56.7% (34/60)]was higher than that of the student group [6.7% (8/120), χ2 = 55.9, P < 0.01]. The same rate in the urban student group was 0(0/60), and the rural student group was 13.3%(8/60), there was a significant difference between them(χ2 = 5.66, P < 0.05). Seventy-three point nine per cent( 133/180) of these people thought dental fluorosis had significant effect on their life, 91.1%(164/180) of these 'people wished to be treated. Eighty-four point four per cent( 152/180) of the people had a habit of toothbrushing,and 50.7% (77/152) of these people were still using toothpaste containing fluorine. Conclusions Zhaotong is a serious indoor coal-combustion-type fluorosis area. Enhancing health education to local people especially to students, and changing people's unhealthy habits and customs are keies to control the prevalence of indoor coal-combustion-type dental fluorosis.