Assessment of periodontal status among dental fluorosis subjects using community periodontal index of treatment needs.

Aim: To determine the periodontal status and treatment needs among dental fluorosis subjects residing in Ennore, Chennai, using Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN). Materials and Methods: All the subjects with dental fluorosis above 15 years of age, permanent residents of Ennore, were included in the study. Subjects with known systemic diseases and subjects with other intrinsic dental stains were excluded from the study. Periodontal status was estimated using CPITN and Dental fluorosis was recorded using Dean's Dental Fluorosis Index. Results: The total number of study subjects was 1075, of which 489 were males and 586 were females. Males were predominantly affected with periodontal disease than females. This was found to be statistically significant (P=0.000). The association between Degree of Fluorosis and Periodontal Status is statistically significant (P=0.000). There was statistically significant difference in mean number of sextants between the degree of fluorosis in each of the periodontal status (P=0.000). Conclusion: The finding that the lower prevalence of shallow pockets in the study area, where the fluoride level in the drinking water ranges from 1.83 to 2.01 ppm, indicates that the use of fluoride in water is beneficial to the periodontal tissues.

Fluorosis in rats exposed to oscillating chronic fluoride doses

Considering that blood fluoride concentration varies according to fluoride exposure and that dental fluorosis is related to the amount of enamel formed under a given fluoride dose, the present study investigated whether the fluorosis produced by an oscillating chronic fluoride dose would be similar to that caused by exposure to a constant dose, representing the mean of the oscillation during a given time. Rats received during 78 days water with fluoride concentrations of 0, 12.5, 25 or 37.5 µg F/mL, or oscillating concentrations of 12.5 and 37.5 µg F/mL every 72 h (mean exposure=25 µg F/mL). The concentrations of fluoride in the plasma, femur and incisors of the rats were determined at the end of the experimental period. Also, the enamel dental fluorosis index was determined in the incisors using a quantitative method developed by our research group named Dental Fluorosis by Image Analysis (DFIA). Fluoride concentrations in plasma, femur and teeth, and DFIA increased linearly for constant fluoride concentrations in water (p<0.0001, r values=0.87-0.98). The results of the oscillating group and the groups receiving 25 µg F/mL did not differ significantly (p>0.05). The findings of this study suggest that in animals chronically exposed to symmetrically oscillating fluoride doses, the resulting dental fluorosis reflects the metabolic effect of the mean of the oscillating doses.

Considerando que a concentração de fluoreto no sangue varia de acordo com a exposição ao fluoreto, e que a fluorose dental está relacionada com a quantidade de esmalte formado sob determinada dose de fluoreto, este estudo avaliou se a fluorose resultante da exposição a doses oscilantes de fluoreto seria semelhante àquela causada pela exposição a uma dose constante, representativa da média das oscilações durante um determinado tempo. Durante 78 dias, ratos receberam água com concentrações constantes de fluoreto de 0; 12,5; 25 ou 37,5 µg F/mL, ou concentrações oscilantes de 12,5 e 37,5 µg F/mL alternados a cada 72 h (média de exposição = 25 µg F/mL). Concentrações de fluoreto no plasma, fêmur e dentes incisivos dos ratos foram determinadas após o período experimental. O índice de fluorose, observado nos incisivos dos ratos, foi quantificado usando um método de análise de imagem desenvolvido para essa pesquisa, denominado de índice de fluorose por análise de imagem (DFIA, em Inglês). A concentração de fluoreto no plasma, fêmur e incisivo dos ratos, assim como o DFIA, aumentaram de forma linear para as concentrações constantes de fluoreto na água (p<0,0001, r=0,87-0,98). Não houve diferença significativa entre o grupo que recebeu doses oscilantes e o grupo que recebeu 25 µg F/mL (p>0,05). Os resultados sugerem a fluorose dental decorrente de exposição crônica de animais a doses de fluoreto oscilantes e simétricas reflete o efeito metabólico da média da oscilação.

Risk indicators and risk predictors of dental caries in schoolchildren

The purpose of this study was to identify risk indicators of high caries level at baseline (HCLB) based on cross-sectional data and predictors of high caries increment (HCI) based on a 7-year-follow-up examination in 6-8-year-old schoolchildren. Two hundred and six schoolchildren were examined in 1997 and in 2004 by the same two calibrated dentists, in Piracicaba, Brazil. At baseline, dental caries, presence of sealants, fluorosis, and oral hygiene status were recorded. The children's parents completed a questionnaire concerning socioeconomic level, fluoride use, dental service utilization, dietary and oral hygiene habits. HCLB and HCI were defined considering the upper quartile of the total caries experience distribution (dmfs+DMFS) and caries increment distribution, respectively. Logistic regression models were adjusted estimating the Odds Ratio (OR), 95% confidence intervals and p-values. Having white spot lesions (OR=5.25) was found to be a risk indicator of HCLB. Schoolchildren with dental fluorosis (OR=0.17) or those who brushed the teeth more than two times a day (OR=0.37) presented less probability of HCLB. The predictors of HCI were: dmfs>0 (OR=2.68) and mothers' educational level up to 8 years of schooling (OR=2.87). Clinical and socioeconomic variables were found to be risk indicators and/or predictors of dental caries in schoolchildren.

Prevalence of dental fluorosis and associated risk factors in 11-15 year old school children of Kanyakumari District, Tamilnadu, India: a cross sectional survey.

OBJECTIVES: This study presents data on the prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis in 11-15-years-old school children of Kanyakumari district, TamilNadu, India, and also the relationships between prevalence of dental fluorosis and selected risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1800 children, from all the nine blocks of Kanyakumari district, studying in classes 6-10 were examined using type III examination. The assessment form designed specifically for this study was used while examining each student. RESULTS: Dental fluorosis was present in 15.8% (285 children) of the study population and the community fluorosis index was calculated to be 0.27. The prevalence of dental fluorosis varied from as low as 1.4% in some blocks to as high as 29.4% in some others. There was a significant difference in the level of dental fluorosis between rural and urban residents ( P < 0.001). The prevalence of dental fluorosis was higher in children who consumed pipe water as compared to children who consumed ground water. 65% of the children with dental fluorosis had no caries, indicating the positive effects of fluoride. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of dental fluorosis can be attributed to the level of fluoride in the drinking water as it exhibited a step-wise increase when the water fluoride levels increased from 1.5-1.7 ppm. Measures for defluoridation of drinking water before distribution has to be taken in the high prevalence blocks to lower the burden of dental fluorosis in this community.

Prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis among students from João Pessoa, PB, Brazil

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis among 12-15-year-old students from João Pessoa, PB, Brazil before starting a program of artificial fluoridation of drinking water. The use of fluoridated dentifrice was also surveyed. A sample of 1,402 students was randomly selected. However, 31 students refused to participate and 257 were not permanent residents in João Pessoa, thus leaving a final sample of 1,114 students. Clinical exams were carried out by two calibrated dentists (Kappa = 0.78) under natural indirect light. Upper and lower front teeth were cleaned with gauze and dried, and then examined using the TF index for fluorosis. A questionnaire on dentifrice ingestion and oral hygiene habits was applied to the students. The results revealed that fluorosis prevalence in this age group was higher than expected (29.2 percent). Most fluorosis cases were TF = 1 (66.8 percent), and the most severe cases were TF = 4 (2.2 percent). The majority of the students reported that they had been using fluoridated dentifrices since childhood; 95 percent of the participants preferred brands with a 1,500 ppm F concentration, and 40 percent remembered that they usually ingested or still ingest dentifrice during brushing. It was concluded that dental fluorosis prevalence among students in João Pessoa is higher than expected for an area with non-fluoridated water. However, although most students use fluoridated dentifrices, and almost half ingest slurry while brushing, the majority of cases had little aesthetic relevance from the professionals' point of view, thus suggesting that fluorosis is not a public health problem in the locality.

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a prevalência e severidade de fluorose dentária em escolares de 12 a 15 anos de idade de João Pessoa, PB, Brasil antes da implantação de um programa de fluoretação de águas. O uso de dentifrício fluoretado também foi investigado. De 1.402 escolares aleatoriamente selecionados, 31 recusaram-se a participar, 257 não eram residentes permanentes na cidade, resultando em uma amostra final de 1.114 escolares. Dois cirurgiões-dentistas calibrados (Kappa = 0,78) realizaram exames clínicos sob luz natural indireta nos dentes anteriores superiores e inferiores limpos com gaze e secos, aplicando-se o índice TF para fluorose. Um questionário sobre ingestão de dentifrício e hábitos de higiene oral foi aplicado. Os resultados demonstram uma prevalência de fluorose acima do esperado (29,2 por cento). A maioria dos casos foi TF = 1 (66,8 por cento), e os mais severos foram TF = 4 (2,2 por cento). A maioria dos estudantes informou que faz uso de dentifrícios desde a infância; 95 por cento dos participantes preferiam marcas com 1.500 ppm F e 40 por cento confirmaram que usualmente ingeriam ou ainda ingerem dentifrício durante a escovação. Conclui-se que a prevalência de fluorose entre estudantes de João Pessoa é acima do esperado para uma cidade sem fluoretação de águas. No entanto, apesar de a maioria dos estudantes usar dentifrícios fluoretados, e quase a metade deles ingerir dentifrício quando escova, a maioria dos casos foi de pouco comprometimento estético sob o ponto de vista dos profissionais, o que sugere que a fluorose não se constitui em um problema de saúde pública nesta localidade.

Estudo da prevalência de fluorose dental em escolares de 12 a 13 anos na cidade de Agudos do Sul - Paraná / Study of prevalence of dental fluoresis in children of 12 to 13 years in Agudos do Sul city - Paraná

A fluorose dentária é um distúrbio específico da formação dos dentes provocada pela intoxicação crônica do flúor sobre o órgão do esmalte durante o processo de formação dentária. O presente estudo divulga os dados de um levantamento epidemiológico da prevalência de fluorose dentária em escolares na cidade de Agudos do Sul/PR que consomem água proveniente de Estação de Tratamento de Aguas (ETA) e de poços artesianos. Foram examinados 184 escoalres, na faixa etária de 12 e 13 anos, utilizando-se o índice de Dean. Observou-se que destes, 84,24 por cento apresentaram fluorose dentária nos seus diversos graus. O Indice Comunitário de Fluorose (ICF) encontrado foi de 1,9, situando-se alé do nível considerado muito leve por Dean, portanto pode ser visto como um quadro delicado para a Saúde Pública local

presence of dental fluorosis in the permanent dentition in Doha

The main purpose of this study is to draw attention to the presence and the severity of dental fluorosis in Doha [Qatar] through the high level of registered cases of fluorosis found among the groups examined. Of 4800 people aged 8-50 years, 2654 [55.29%] had dental fluorosis of some degree. This problem urgently requires more studies throughout the country to provide an accurate assessment

Cómo ayudar a prevenir la fluorosis dental en una ciudad con altos índices de flúor / How to help to prevent dental fluorosis in a country with high fluorine index

El presente trabajo tiene como propósito dar a conocer al gremio odontológico y servidores públicos de la salud, cómo se está ayudando a una población a resolver un problema de salud dental que ha padecido por décadas