Correlation between water fluoride levels and dental caries in Davangere District, India.

Areas with natural fluoride in the drinking water are natural laboratories where the effect of fluoride on dental caries can be studied in a real life situation. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of dental caries and to study its correlation with fluoride in the drinking water in Davangere District. 1128 school children in the age groups of 12 and 15 years from 12 villages with different concentrations of fluoride in drinking water were studied. Ion Selective electrode method (Orion, USA) was used to estimate Fluoride concentrations in drinking water. Dentition Status (WHO, 1997) was used to assess dental caries status. Results showed that there was a significant trend towards reduction in dental caries with increase in water fluoride levels. A negative correlation between fluoride levels and mean DMFT was seen among the subjects with the Karl Pearson's Correlation Co efficient being -0.65 and -0.72 for the 12 and 15 year olds respectively. It was concluded from the study that although dental caries was negatively associated with increasing fluoride levels, the problem of attendant dental fluorosis should also be considered seriously.

Prevalence of dental caries and treatment needs among school going children of Pondicherry, India.

Dental caries is an important Dental public Health problem. Its high morbidity potential has brought this disease into the focus of dental health professionals. The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence of dental caries and treatment needs among 5 and 12 years old school children of urban Pondicherry. The study population consisted of 2022 school children of both the sexes, (1009, 5-year-old children) and (1013, 12-year-old children). A simple random sampling method was used to select the schools. Dental caries was assessed by Dentition Status and Treatment Needs described by WHO (1997). The prevalence of dental caries was 44.4% in 5 years age group with 47.4% for males (mean dmft = 1.91 +/- 2.64 S.D.) and 41.1% for females (mean dmft = 1.45 +/- 2.18 S.D.). In 12 years age group the prevalence of dental caries was 22.3% with 20.6% for males (mean DMFT = 0.40 +/- 0.94 S.D.) and 24.1% for females (mean DMFT = 0.55 +/- 1.15 S.D). Evaluation of treatment needs revealed that the greatest need was for one surface restorations followed by two or more surface restorations. It may be concluded that FDI/WHO Oral Health Goals for the year 2000 have been achieved for the ages 5-6 and 12 years in Pondicherry.

Prevalence of periodontal disease in endemically flourosed areas of Davangere Taluk, India.

Success of fluoride in combating dental caries led to study of fluoride on periodontal disease, but studies are less reported in literature and results are varied in nature. To address this issue, the study was conducted to assess severity of periodontal disease among (n = 283) 36-45 years old adults residing in area of different concentration of fluoride in drinking water. The villages selected were having fluoride concentration in their drinking water are Shamnur (0.5 PPMF), Kundawada (1.1 ppmF) and Halebathi (3.17 ppm). Ion Selective Electrode Method (OrionUSA) estimated fluoride in drinking water. Community Periodontal Index (WHO, 1997) and Plaque Index (Silness and Loe, 1967) was used to assess periodontal status. There was consistent decrease in mean plaque score from 1.45+ _0.024 at 0.51 ppm, 1.21+ _0.009 at 1.1 ppm, and 1.12+ _0.08 at 3.17 ppm fluoride area. This difference was significant statistically (P < 0.001). As the fluoride concentration in drinking water increased there was decrease in severity of prevalence of periodontitis. This difference in observation was significant statistically (P < 0.05). There were no effects of fluoride on calculus, since little variability was found in three different fluoride areas. Thus it was concluded from the study results that the increase in fluoride concentration decreased the plaque accumulation. decreased the shallow and deep pockets. Hence lower prevalence and severity of periodontal disease.