Effect of fluoride on salivary immunoglobulins and sialic acid

Summary Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of fluoride on salivary immunoglobulin and sialic acid levels in children with dental fluorosis and healthy teeth who live in places with high fluoride concentration in drinking water. Method: Fifty-one (51) healthy children between 6 and 12 years old with no caries were randomly selected from primary schools enrolled in the dental-care program operated by the Department of Pediatric Dentistry. The children were divided into two groups: group I comprised 26 children with dental fluorosis [Thylstrup-Fejerskov Dental Fluorosis Index (TFI) = 4] who lived in Isparta (2.7-2.8 ppm), and group II consisted of 25 children without dental fluorosis who were born in low-fluoride areas and had lived in Isparta for only the previous two years. Stimulated and unstimulated saliva were collected and analyzed for fluoride, salivary immunoglobulins and sialic acid levels. Results: Sialic acid level was correlated negatively with age. Levels of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) and secretory immunoglobulin G (sIgG) were higher in children with dental fluorosis compared with those in group II, although these differences were not significant. Conclusion: Increased sIgA and sIgG levels may arrest the progression of caries in subjects with dental fluorosis. Given the risks of dental fluorosis, further studies of the effects of different fluoride levels in drinking water on salivary composition of children with mixed dentition are needed to confirm the results of our study and to provide data for comparison.

Consecuencias de la fluoración del agua potable en la salud humana / The impact of tap water fluoridation on human health

The purpose of this review is to describe the osteological, neurological, endocrine and dermatological effects of fluoride ingestion. Additional aims are to evaluate whether the Chilean tap water fluoridation program has had any impact on dental health, and analyze the basis for the Chilean elementary school milk fluoridation program, which is targeted at children living in places where tap water has a fluoride concentration less than 0.3 mg/L, without any artificial fluoridation process. We discuss the finding that both public measures have no direct or remarkable effect on dental health, since topical dental hygiene products are the main and most effective contributors to the prevention of dental decay. We also suggest that the permanent and systematic ingestion of fluorides imposes health risks on the population. Therefore, we recommend reevaluating the national fluoridation program for public tap water and the elementary school milk program.

Bioethical considerations about water fluoridation: a critical review / Consideraciones bioéticas de la fluoración del agua: una revisión crítica

Dental caries is one of the oral pathologies with greater burden of disease in the Chilean population. Fluoridation of drinking water has been used as a caries prevention strategy. However, its application as a public policy has been questioned since its implementation. The aim of this article is to analyze whether fluoridation of drinking water is a justified measure in reducing the incidence and prevalence of caries from the perspective of bioethics, taking into account the current evidence on its effectiveness. The arguments reviewed are based on the belief that water fluoridation is effective and, in general terms, ethically acceptable. A recent systematic review concludes that there is not enough evidence to support fluoridation as a public policy. There is a gap of knowledge that ought to be closed so that public health authorities can assess the significance of the intervention and make a democratic decision on its continuation or suspension based on scientific evidence. This decision should be informed and disseminated within the community.

La caries dental constituye una de las patologías orales con mayor carga de enfermedad en población chilena. Una estrategia empleada para prevención de caries ha sido la fluoración del agua potable, cuya aplicación como política pública ha sido cuestionada desde su implementación. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar si la fluoración del agua potable resulta una medida justificada para reducir la incidencia y prevalencia de caries desde la perspectiva de la bioética, teniendo en cuenta la evidencia actual sobre su efectividad. Los argumentos revisados se basan en la convicción de la efectividad de la fluoración del agua, considerando la intervención en términos generales como éticamente aceptable. A la luz de la revisión sistemática publicada recientemente, no existiría evidencia suficiente que avale esta política pública. Actualmente existe una brecha de conocimiento que debiese ser cerrada con la finalidad de que las autoridades de salud pública puedan evaluar la trascendencia de la intervención y tomar una decisión democrática acerca de la continuidad o suspensión de la estrategia preventiva con base científica, informada y socializada con la comunidad.

Revisión Sistemática sobre los Efectos Adversos de la Fluoración del Agua / Systematic Review of the Adverse Effects of Water Fluoridation

Durante las últimas décadas, una considerable atención científica ha sido puesta en la seguridad de los fluoruros, dada la amplia variedad de fuentes de ingestión a la que la población se encuentra expuesta y los riesgos a la salud de las personas que esto puede acarrear. El objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar si la fluoración del agua a concentraciones de 0,6 a 1 ppm se asocian a una mayor proporción de efectos adversos en la población general al compararlo con concentraciones subóptimas. Se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura en MEDLINE, EMBASE, COCHRANE, SCIELO, LILACS, CRD, BBO, PAHO y WHOLIS, limitada desde el 2002 al 2012. Se incluyeron estudios primarios y secundarios en español, inglés y portugués con al menos dos poblaciones comparadas, una con niveles óptimos de flúor en agua (0,6­1 ppm) y otra sin fluoración del agua (<0,3 ppm) o con niveles subóptimos (>0,3 < 0,6 ppm). Dos investigadores de forma independiente realizaron evaluación de la calidad de los artículos seleccionados y que cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. La búsqueda arrojó 1024 artículos de los cuales 24 cumplieron los criterios de inclusión y 10 fueron incluidos como evidencia. Con excepción de fluorosis dental, no hay asociación entre fluoración del agua con fracturas óseas, cáncer u otro efecto adverso. A pesar de la mayor prevalencia de fluorosis en zonas fluoradas, esta fue principalmente del tipo cuestionable a leve y la proporción de fluorosis con daño estético no difiere significativamente de la presente en zonas sin fluoración del agua.

During the last decades, considerable scientific attention has been paid to the safety of fluoride, given the wide variety of sources of intake at which the population is exposed and the risks to the health of people this may produce. The aim was to determine whether water fluoridation at concentrations from 0.6 to 1 ppm is associated with a higher proportion of adverse effects in the general population when comparing them to suboptimal concentrations. A systematic review was conducted of the literature in MEDLINE, EMBASE, COCHRANE, SCIELO, LILACS, CRD, BBO, PAHO and WHOLIS, limited to 2002 to 2012. Included were primary and secondary studies in Spanish, English and Portuguese with at least two compared populations, one with optimal fluoride levels in the water (0.6­1 ppm) and another without water fluoridation (<0.3 ppm) or with suboptimal levels (>0.3 < 0.6ppm). Two researchers independently evaluated the quality of the articles selected and which met the inclusion criteria. The search revealed 1024 articles, of which 24 met the inclusion criteria and 10 were included as evidence. With the exception of dental fluorosis, there is no association between any other adverse effect and water fluoridation. Despite the greater prevalence of fluorosis in fluoride than in non-fluoride zones, this was mainly questionable to slight and the proportion of fluorosis with esthetic damage does not differ significantly from this in zones without water fluoridation.

External control over fluoridation of the public water supply in São Luís, MA, Brazil

Objective:To tomonitor fluoride concentrations in the public water supply of São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil, from February 2008 to January 2009. Material and Method:Forty sampling points representing 39 neighborhoods of São Luís were conveniently selected. The points were selected based on the sites where the public water supply is provided by the local water supply company and also considering the proximity of elevated water reservoir tanks. The analysis of the fluoride concentration was performed in triplicate using an ion-specific electrode for fluoride connected to a previously calibrated potentiometer. After analysis, the samples were considered adequate when the fluoride concentration was within recommended limits from 0.60 up to 0.80 ppm F (criterion I) or within the stipulated range from 0.55 ppm up to 0.84 ppm F (criterion II). Results:The results showed a large variation between minimum and maximum concentrations. Considering all samples, the average values (± SD) for the municipality was 0.58 ppm F (± 0.24) and median value was 0.61 ppm F, with minimum and maximum value of 0.02 and 1.33 ppm F, respectively. Of the 480 samples, 62.9% was considered inadequate by criterion I, while using criterion II, the percentage was 48.3%. Conclusion:The fluoridation program in São Luís-MA needs improvement. Therefore, surveillance based on external control and operational control becomes essential to ensure that the method is efficient and effective

Fluorose dentaria em criancas de Sao Paulo, SP, 1998-2010 / Fluorosis dentaria en ninos de Sao Paulo, SP, 1998-2010 / Dental fluorosis in children from Sao Paulo, Southeastern Brazil, 1998-2010

OBJETIVO: Analisar a tendência de prevalência de fluorose dentária em crianças de 12 anos em contexto de exposição a múltiplas fontes de flúor. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se análise de tendência da prevalência de fluorose dentária no período de 1998 a 2010 na cidade de São Paulo, SP. As prevalências foram calculadas para diferentes anos (1998, 2002, 2008 e 2010), a partir de dados secundários obtidos em levantamentos epidemiológicos com amostras representativas da população de 12 anos de idade. A ocorrência de fluorose foi avaliada sob luz natural utilizando o índice de Dean, preconizado pela Organização Mundial da Saúde e categorizada em normal, questionável, muito leve, leve, moderada e severa. Em 1998 foram examinadas 125 crianças; 249 em 2002; 4.085 em 2008; e 231 em 2010. RESULTADOS: Em 1998 a prevalência de fluorose foi de 43,8% (IC95%35,6;52,8), em 2002 de 33,7% (IC95% 28,2;39,8), de 40,3% (IC95% 38,8;41,8) em 2008 e de 38,1% (IC95% 32,1;44,5) em 2010. As categorias muito leve + leve registraram 38,4% (IC95%30,3;47,6) em 1998, 32,1% (IC95% 26,6;38,2) em 2002, 38,0% (IC95% 36,5;39,5) em 2008 e 36,4% (IC95%30,4;42,7) em 2010. Não se observou fluorose severa com significância estatística. CONCLUSÕES: A prevalência de fluorose dentária em crianças paulistanas pode ser classificada como estacionária no período de 1998 a 2010, tanto em geral quanto ao se considerarem apenas as categorias muito leve + leve. .

OBJETIVO: Analizar la tendencia de prevalencia de fluorosis dentaria en niños de 12 años en contexto de exposición a múltiples fuentes de flúor. MÉTODOS: Se realizó análisis de tendencia de la prevalencia de fluorosis dentaria en el período de 1998 a 2010 en la ciudad de Sao Paulo, SP, Brasil. Las prevalencias fueron calculadas para diferentes años (1998, 2002, 2008 y 2010), a partir de datos secundarios obtenidos en pesquisas epidemiológicas con muestras representativas de la población de 12 años de edad. La ocurrencia de fluorosis fue evaluada bajo la luz natural utilizando el índice de Dean, recomendado por la Organización Mundial de la Salud y, categorizada como normal, cuestionable, muy leve, leve, moderada y severa. En 1998 fueron examinadas 125 niños; 249 en 2002; 4.085 en 2008 y 231 en 2010. RESULTADOS: En 1998 la prevalencia de fluorosis fue de 43,8% (IC95%35,6;52,8), en 2002 de 33,7% (IC95% 28,2;39,8), de 40,3% (IC95% 38,8;41,8) en 2008 y de 38,1% (IC95% 32,1;44,5), en 2010. Las categorías muy leve+leve registraron 38,4% (IC95%30,3;47,6) en 1998, 32,1% (IC95% 26,6;38,2) en 2002, 38,0% (IC95% 36,5;39,5) en 2008 y 36,4% (IC95%30,4;42,7) en 2010. No se observo fluorosis severa con significancia estadística. CONCLUSIONES: La prevalencia de fluorosis dentaria en niños paulistanos pudo ser clasificada como estacionaria en el período de 1998 a 2010, tanto en general como al considerar sólo las categorías muy leve+leve. .

OBJECTIVE: To assess the trend of dental fluorosis prevalence in 12-year-old children, in the context of exposure to multiple sources of fluoride. METHODS: An analysis was carried out of the trends in prevalence of dental fluorosis in the city of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil, between 1998 and 2010. The rates of prevalence were calculated for different years (1998, 2002, 2008 and 2010) using secondary data obtained from epidemiological surveys of representative samples of 12-year-old children. Occurrence of fluorosis was assessed in natural light using the Dean index, recommended by the World Health Organization and categorized into normal, questionable, very mild, mild, moderate and severe. In 1998, 125 children were examined, 249 in 2002, 4,085 in 2008 and 231 in 2010. RESULTS: In 1998 the prevalence of fluorosis was 43.8% (95%CI 35.6;52.8) in 2002 it was 33.7% (95%CI 28.2;39.8), it was 40.3% (95%CI 38.8;41.8) in 2008 and 38.1% (95%CI 32.1;44.5) in 2010.The categories very mild + mild totaled 38.4% (95%CI 30.3;47.6) in 1998, 32.1% (95%CI 26.6;38.2) in 2002, 38.0% (95%CI 36.5;39.5) in 2008 and 36.4% (95%CI 30.4;42.7) in 2010. Severe fluorosis was not observed, with statistical significance, in the analyzed period. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of dental fluorosis in children from São Paulo can be classified as stationary between 1998 and 2010, both when considering all categories, and when considering only the categories very mild + mild. .

Qualidade da água para consumo humano e concentração de fluoreto / Drinking water quality and fluoride concentration / Calidad del agua para consumo humano y concentración de fluoruro

O artigo visa analisar a concentração de fluoreto na água para consumo humano, considerando o balanço entre benefícios e riscos à saúde, e produzir subsídios para atualização da legislação brasileira. Estudos de revisão sistemática, documentos oficiais e dados meteorológicos foram examinados. As temperaturas nas capitais brasileiras indicam que o fluoreto deveria variar de 0,6 a 0,9 mg/L para prevenir cárie dentária. Concentração de fluoreto natural de 1,5 mg/L é tolerável para consumo no Brasil se não houver tecnologia de custo-benefício aceitável para ajuste/remoção do seu excesso. A ingestão diária de água com fluoreto em concentração > 0,9 mg/L representa risco à dentição em menores de oito anos de idade e os consumidores deveriam ser expressamente informados desse risco. Considerando a expansão do programa nacional de fluoretação da água para regiões de clima tipicamente tropical, deve-se revisar a Portaria 635/75, relacionada ao fluoreto adicionado às águas de abastecimento público.

This paper aimed to analyze the fluoride concentration in drinking water, taking into account the balance between the benefits and risks to health, in order to produce scientific backing for the updating of the Brazilian legislation. Systematic reviews studies, official documents and meteorological data were examined. The temperatures in Brazilian state capitals indicate that fluoride levels should be between 0.6 and 0.9 mg F/l in order to prevent dental caries. Natural fluoride concentration of 1.5 mg F/l is tolerated for consumption in Brazil if there is no technology with an acceptable cost-benefit ratio for adjusting/removing the excess. Daily intake of water with a fluoride concentration > 0.9 mg F/l presents a risk to the dentition among children under the age of eight years, and consumers should be explicitly informed of this risk. In view of the expansion of the Brazilian water fluoridation program to regions with a typically tropical climate, Ordinance 635/75 relating to fluoride added to the public water supply should be revised.

El artículo busca analizar la concentración de fluoruro en el agua para consumo humano considerando el balance entre beneficios y riesgos a la salud y producir subsidios para actualización de la legislación brasileña. Estudios de revisión sistemática, documentos oficiales y datos meteorológicos fueron examinados. Las temperaturas en las capitales brasileñas indican que el fluoruro debería variar de 0,6 a 0,9 mg/L para prevenir caries dentaria. Concentración de fluoruro natural de 1,5 mg/L es tolerable para consumo en Brasil si no hay tecnología de costo-beneficio aceptable para ajuste/remoción de su exceso. La ingestión diaria de agua con fluoruro en concentración > 0,9mg/L representa riesgo para la dentición en menores de ocho años de edad y los consumidores deberían ser expresamente informados de este riesgo. Considerando la expansión del programa nacional de fluorificación del agua para regiones de clima típicamente tropical se debe revisar el Documento Público 635/75, relacionado con el fluoruro adicionado a las aguas de abastecimiento público.

A comparative analysis of caries and fluorosis among cities with and without public water supply fluoridation in São Paulo State, Brazil / Análise comparativa de cárie e fluorose entre municípios paulistas com e sem fluoretação das águas de abastecimento público

Purpose: This population-based, cross-sectional study aimed to record the DMFT index for 12 year-old children with dental caries and fluorosis levels in cities with and without public water supply fluoridation. Methods: From the 101 municipalities belonging to the Health Regional Department XV (DRS-XV-SJRP) of the São Paulo state in the Southeast region of Brazil, 85 cities were selected after exclusion of those with incomplete data and less than ten years of fluoridation treatment in 2004. The criteria adopted for the assessment of dental caries and fluorosis levels were based on the guidelines published in the WHO Manual 4th edition. The data were analyzed using Fisher exact tests at a significance level of 5%. Results: The prevalence of caries in 12 year-old children had no significant association with fluoridated water, and was considered moderate and high in cities without fluoridation and low and moderate in cities with fluoridation. A significant association was found between water fluoridation and fluorosis (P=0.001), but not between water fluoridation and the DMFT index (P=0.119). Conclusion: The prevalence of fluorosis was related to water fluoridation in this study. However, fluorosis was also observed in non-fluoridated cities, which may result from fluoride intake through other sources.

Objetivo: Este estudo transversal, de base populacional, teve por objetivo medir os índices CPO-D aos 12 anos e de fluorose em municípios com e sem fluoretação da água de abastecimento público. Metodologia: De 101 municípios pertencentes à Divisão Regional de Saúde XV - São José do Rio Preto (DRS-XV), Estado de São Paulo, na região Sudeste do Brasil, foram selecionados 85 municípios, sendo excluídos os aqueles que apresentaram dados incompletos e que possuíam menos de dez anos de fluoretação em 2004. Os critérios adotados para avaliação de cárie e fluorose foram baseados no manual da OMS 4ª edição. Os dados foram submetidos à análise estatística através do teste Exato de Fisher, ao nível de significância 5%. Resultados: A prevalência de cárie aos 12 anos não teve associação significativa com a água fluoretada e foi considerada moderada e alta em municípios sem fluoretação e baixa e moderada nos municípios com fluoretação. A água fluoretada teve associação significativa com fluorose (P=0,001) mas não com o índice CPO-D (P=0,119). Conclusão: Houve associação entre prevalência de fluorose e água fluoretada, mas a fluorose também foi observada em municípios sem fluoretação, possivelmente pelo flúor existente nas diversas fontes de ingestão.

Factors associated with dental fluorosis / Fatores associados à fluorose dentária

Purpose: To assess the prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis and its associated factors in teenagers attending schools with oral health programs. Methods: The sample consisted of 535 students (12- and 15-19-year-olds) living in a city in the Southern Region of Brazil. For data collection, clinical examinations were performed using the Dean´s index. Exploratory data on demographics, socioeconomic conditions, access to dental service and hygiene habits were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed by multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of dental fluorosis was 25% in this sample, and a very low level of fluorosis was the most frequent category found (18.3%). Fluorosis was associated with female gender (OR=1.55; CI95%1.03-2.32). Drinking water from an artesian well or bottled water was protective against fluorosis (OR=0.51; CI95% 0.27-0.95). Conclusion: The prevalence of dental fluorosis in this sample of students was high, but the fluorosis was of low severity. The type of drinking water and gender were shown to be determinant factors of fluorosis in the tested model.

Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência e a severidade da fluorose dentária e verificar os fatores associados em adolescentes de escolas com atividades coletivas de promoção em saúde bucal. Metodologia: A amostra foi composta de 535 escolares de 12 e 15-19 anos moradores de um município da Região Sul do Brasil. Para a coleta de dados foram realizados exames clínicos utilizando o índice de Dean. As variáveis exploratórias demográficas, socioeconômicas, de acesso a serviços odontológicos e de hábitos de higiene bucal foram coletadas utilizando-se um questionário semi-estruturado. Os dados foram analisados por análise de regressão logística múltipla. Resultados: A prevalência de fluorose dentária foi de 25%, sendo que o grau predominante foi o muito leve (18,3%). A fluorose foi associada ao sexo feminino (OR=1,55; IC95%1,03-2,32). Beber água de poço artesiano ou engarrafada foi um fator de proteção para fluorose no grupo de escolares investigado (OR=0,51; IC95% 0,27-0,95). Conclusão: A prevalência de fluorose dentária nos escolares desta amostra foi elevada, porém sua severidade foi baixa. A água ingerida e o sexo foram associados à fluorose dentária no modelo testado.

Prevalência de fluorose dentária em escolares de 12 anos de idade em Sete Lagoas (MG), no ano de 2010

Apesar de, ainda hoje, a cárie dentária ser considerada no Brasil o principal problema de saúde bucal, o declínio em sua prevalência e severidade faz com que a odontologia volte sua atenção para outros problemas como a fluorose dentária...

Influência da água de abastecimento público fluoretada na prevalência de cárie dos molares decíduos em un município de Minas Gerais

A incorporação do flúor na água de abastecimento de muitas cidades brasileiras tem se mostrado um método realmente eficaz para controle da cárie dentária. O custo é baixo e é um método seguro, apresentando risco previsível e controlável, em relação à fluorose dental ou qualquer intoxicação, quando utilizada a dose adequada...

Is there a need of extra fluoride in children.

The issues related to fluoridation of water or fortification of tooth paste with compounds of fluorides are controversial. Fluoride is stored mainly in the bones, where it increases the density and changes the internal architecture, makes it osteoporotic and more prone to fractures. Fluoride consumption by human beings increases the general cancer death rate, disrupts the synthesis of collagen and leads to the breakdown of collagen in bone, tendon, muscle, skin, cartilage, lungs, kidney and trachea, causing disruptive effect on various tissues in the body. It inhibits antibody formation, disturbs immune system and makes the child prone to malignancy. Fluoride has been categorized as a protoplasmic poison and any additional ingestion of fluoride by children is undesirable.

Physiology and toxicity of fluoride.

Fluoride has been described as an essential element needed for normal development and growth of animals and extremely useful for human beings. Fluoride is abundant in the environment and the main source of fluoride to humans is drinking water. It has been proved to be beneficial in recommended doses, and at the same time its toxicity at higher levels has also been well established. Fluoride gets accumulated in hard tissues of the body and has been know to play an important role in mineralization of bone and teeth. At high levels it has been known to cause dental and skeletal fluorosis. There are suggested effects of very high levels of fluoride on various body organs and genetic material. The purpose of this paper is to review the various aspects of fluoride and its importance in human life.

Perdas dentárias em adolescentes brasileiros e fatores associados: estudo de base populacional / Perdidas dentarias en adolescentes brasileros y factores asociados: estudio de base poblacional / Tooth loss and associated factors in adolescents: a Brazilian population-based oral health survey

OBJETIVO: Estimar a prevalência das perdas dentárias em adolescentes brasileiros e os fatores a elas associados. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados dados de 16.833 participantes do estudo epidemiológico nacional de saúde bucal, realizado em 2002/2003. O desfecho investigado foi a ocorrência de perda de pelo menos um dente. As variáveis independentes incluíram localização geográfica de residência, sexo, cor de pele, idade, renda per capita, atraso escolar, tipo de serviço e residência em município com fluoretação das águas de abastecimento. Foram estimadas razões de prevalência brutas e ajustadas por meio da regressão de Poisson para cada macrorregião e para o País como um todo. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de pelo menos uma perda dentária foi de 38,9 por cento (IC 95 por cento: 38,2 por cento; 39,7 por cento). Os adolescentes residentes em locais não servidos por água fluoretada apresentaram prevalência de perdas dentárias 40 por cento maior do que os residentes em áreas com disponibilidade dessa medida. Houve forte associação (p<0,01) entre a ausência da fluoretação das águas de abastecimento e as perdas dentárias para a região Nordeste. Para as demais regiões a associação das perdas com fluoretação de águas foi confundida pelas variáveis mais distais, notadamente as socioeconômicas, reforçando as características de desigualdades regionais. CONCLUSÕES: A alta prevalência de perdas dentárias em adolescentes confirma a necessidade de haver prioridade para atendimento desse grupo pelos serviços odontológicos, considerando medidas preventivas em idades mais precoces, de recuperação dos danos instalados e acesso universal à água fluoretada.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate tooth loss among adolescents and its factors associated. METHODS: Data from 16,833 participants of the Brazilian Oral Health Survey 2002-2003 were analyzed. The outcome studied was tooth loss of at least one tooth. Independent variables included geographical localization, gender, skin color, per capita income, education gap, dental service utilization and fluoridated water supply at the local level. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios were estimated using Poisson regression for each Brazilian macroregion and nationwide. RESULTS: The prevalence of at least one tooth loss was 38.9 percent (95 percent CI 38.2 percent;39.7 percent). Adolescents living in localities with non-fluoridated water supply were 40 percent more likely to have tooth loss compared with those living in areas with fluoridated water supply. There was seen a strong association (p<0.01) between non-fluoridated water supply and tooth loss prevalence in the Northeast. In other Brazilian regions this association was confounded for distal variables, mainly socioeconomic variables, reinforcing regional inequalities. CONCLUSIONS: High prevalence of tooth loss among Brazilian adolescents shows a need for targeted dental actions including prevention at earlier ages, treatment of affected teeth and universal access to fluoridated water.

OBJETIVO: Estimar la prevalencia de las perdidas dentarias en adolescentes brasileros y los factores asociados a ellas. MÉTODOS: Fueron analizados datos de 16.833 participantes del estudio epidemiológico nacional de salud bucal, realizado en 2002/2003. El hecho investigado fue la ocurrencia de pérdida de por lo menos un diente. Las variables independientes incluyeron localización geográfica de residencia, sexo, color de piel, edad, renta per capita, atraso escolar, tipo de servicio y residencia en municipio con fluorificación de las aguas de abastecimiento. Fueron estimadas las tasas de prevalencia brutas y ajustadas por medio de la regresión de Poisson para cada macro región y para Brasil como un todo. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de por lo menos una pérdida dentaria fue de 38,9 por ciento (IC 95 por ciento: 38,2 por ciento; 39,7 por ciento). Los adolescentes residentes en locales no servidos por agua fluorificada presentaron prevalencia de pérdida dentaria 40 por ciento mayor que los residentes en áreas con disponibilidad de esa medida. Hubo fuerte asociación (p<0,01) entre la ausencia de fluorificación de las aguas de abastecimiento y las pérdidas dentarias para la región Noroeste. Para las demás regiones la asociación de las pérdidas con fluorificación de aguas fue confundida por las variables más distantes, notoriamente las socioeconómicas, reforzando las características de desigualdades regionales. CONCLUSIONES: Las altas prevalencias de pérdidas dentarias en adolescentes confirma la necesidad de existir prioridad para atención de ese grupo por los servicios odontológicos, considerando medidas preventivas en edades más precoces, de recuperación de los daños instalados y acceso universal al agua fluorificada.

Mother's perception of dental aesthetics in their children. A study in two fluoridated communities / Percepção de mães sobre a estética dental de seus filhos. Um estudo em duas comunidades com água fluoretada

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the mother's perceptions of the aesthetics of their children's teeth. Methods: The sample comprised 47 mothers of children aged from 7 to 9 year-old, who lived in areas with fluoridated water. The children had their central incisors assessed for the presence of dental fluorosis using the TF index. Mothers were interviewed to collect data about their perceptions of the dental aesthetics of their children and were asked to cite any perceived oral problems. Results: A total of 49% of children exhibited dental fluorosis on the central incisors; most cases were TF=1 (45%). The frequency of mothers who considered their child's teeth pleasing (60%) was higher than the frequency of mothers who rated them unpleasing (40%), regardless of whether the child had fluorosis or not (P= 0.440). When asked to identify oral problems, 40% of the mothers cited misalignment and crowding, 9% cited yellow teeth, 4% cited dental caries, and 2% cited hypoplasia. Only one mother (2%) cited stained teeth, and it was actually a case of dental fluorosis TF=1. Conclusion: The mothers had a positive perception of their children's teeth. Alignment and crowding were the most common problems reported by the mothers. The mothers did not recognise dental fluorosis as a significant oral problem in their children.

Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a percepção de mães sobre a estética dos dentes dos seus filhos. Metodologia: A amostra consistiu de 47 crianças de 7 a 9 anos que participaram de um estudo prospectivo sobre fluorose dentária e residiam em duas comunidades com água fluoretada. Os incisivos centrais das crianças foram avaliados para fluorose dentária usando ITF. As mães foram entrevistadas sobre a estética dos dentes dos filhos (se a aparência era agradável ou desagradável) e se percebiam outro problema bucal.Resultados: Um total de 49% de crianças apresentou fluorose dentária nos incisivos centrais; a maioria foi TF=1 (45%). A frequência de mães que considerou os dentes das crianças agradáveis foi 60%, maior que a freqüência de mães que consideraram os dentes dos filhos desagradáveis (40%), independentemente se a criança tinha fluorose ou não (P=0,440). Quanto à identificação de qualquer problema oral nas crianças, 40% das mães citaram dentes mal alinhados ou apinhados, 9% citaram dentes amarelos, 4% citaram cárie e 2% citaram hipoplasia. Apenas uma mãe (2%) citou dentes manchados, sendo um caso de fluorose dentária TF=1. Conclusão: As mães apresentaram uma percepção positiva sobre os dentes dos filhos. Alinhamento e apinhamento foram os problemas bucais mais relatados pelas mães, que não reconheceram a fluorose dentária como um problema estético.

Estudio de fluorosis dental en escolares de Mórrope / A study on dental fluorosis in Morrope schoolchildren

La fluorosis dental es un defecto en la formación del esmalte por altas concentraciones de flúor, que se puede dar desde la gestación e infancia. Objetivos: determinar la prevalencia de fluorosis en escolares, el grado de la misma según sexo, colegio y lugar en el distrito de Mórrope, provincia de Lambayeque. Población y muestra: 444 estudiantes de 7 colegios y procedentes de 28 localidades del distrito de Mórrope, realizándose el examen dental con la clasificación de Dean. Resultados: alta prevalencia de fluorosis del 97.5 por ciento en los escolares de Mórrope, siendo la más alta reportada en estudios latinoamericanos; no existe asociación estadística según sexo, es más predominante en las edades de 13 a 16 años con proporciones de 44 a 49 por ciento de grado moderado/severo y existen localidades como Cruz del Médano donde 53 por ciento tienen fluorosis moderada/severa, mientras que en la ciudad de Mórrope el grado predominante es fluorosis leve. Conclusiones: existe una alta prevalencia de fluorosis en el distrito de Mórrope, siendo necesarios estudios de agua de pozos y determinar la existencia de fluorosis ósea en la población.

Effects of Long-term Fluoride in Drinking Water on Risks of Hip Fracture of the Elderly: An Ecologic Study Based on Database of Hospitalization Episodes / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: Fluoridation of drinking water is known to decrease dental caries, particularly in children. However, the effects of fluoridated water on bone over several decades are still in controversy. To assess the risk of hip fracture related to water fluoridation, we evaluated the hip fracture-related hospitalizations of the elderly between a fluoridated city and non-fluoridated cities in Korea. METHODS: Cheongju as a fluoridated area and Chungju, Chuncheon, Suwon, Wonju as non-fluoridated areas were chosen for the study. We established a database of hip fracture hospitalization episode based on the claims data submitted to the Health Insurance Review Agency from January 1995 to December 2002. The hip fracture hospitalization episodes that satisfied the conditions were those that occurred in patients over 65 years old, the injuries had a hip fracture code (ICD-9 820, ICD-10 S72) and the patients were hospitalized for at least 7days. A total of 80,558 cases of hip fracture hospitalization episodes were analyzed. RESULTS: The admission rates for hip fracture increased with the age of the men and women in both a fluoridated city and the non-fluoridated cities (p<0.01). The relative risk of hip fracture increased significantly both for men and women as their age increased. However, any difference in the hip fracture admission rates was not consistently observed between the fluoridated city and the nonfluoridated cities. CONCLUSIONS: We cannot conclude that fluoridation of drinking water increases the risk of hip fracture in the elderly.

Fluoruración del agua: evaluación de las ventajas y riesgos para la salud / Driking water fluoridation: evaluation of health advantages and risks

Se presenta un análisis crítico de la fluoruración del agua potable, analizando las ventajas, desventajas y riesgos para la salud de dicho procedimiento. Ventajas: el fluor es un agente preventivo de la formación de caries en regiones geográficas donde sus niveles naturales en el agua son bajos, en donde con su adición al agua se ha logrado una disminución no ha sido tan notoria en poblaciones en donde existe acceso a dentífricos y fármacos fluorurados. Desventajas y riesgos para la salud: la fluoruración del agua aumenta la incidencia de fluorosis dental. Incrementa la incidencia de diversas fracturas causadas por osteoporosis en la edad senil, y en especial, las de cadera en mujeres y hombres ancianos expuestos a fluoruro durante período inmediatamente posterior a su menopausia o climaterio masculino. Antagoniza la incorporación de calcio en diversos órganos y sistemas, en las neuronas inhibiendo su crecimiento axonal, en leucocitos afectando varias de sus funciones. Inhibe la inmunidad y la actividad fagocitaria de macrófagos, e induce proteína de shock térmico. Disminuye la tolerancia a la glucosa y estimula la proliferación de células de osteosarcoma. Es posible su relación con ocurrencia del síndrome de Down. La exposición perinatal a fluoruro puede causar efectos diferidos persistentes que favorezcan el desarrollo de diversas patologías més tarde en la vida. Se concluye que la fluoruración del agua es inocua o beneficiosa durante edades tempranas de la vida (niños y adolescentes) pero es altamente inconveniente durante edades más avanzadas; en consecuencia, se recomienda preferir la administración de fluoruro adicionado a productos alimenticios que sean consumidos sólo por niños y adolescentes.