ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Dental fluorosis is considered as a serious public health problem in India. Water is usually the major source of fluoride exposure, but this is not the case always as exposure to local factors like diet can be important in some situations. Earlier studies have shown that jowar (a millet) consumption interacts with fluoride in the body and elevate fluorosis. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between jowar consumption and severity of dental fluorosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hundred schoolgoing children of 10-14 years old was selected by random sampling from Wadloor village. Dental fluorosis was measured in children by Thylstrup-Fejerskov index (1988). Twenty-four hours diet recall method was used to know the exposure to jowar of the children. A pretested questionnaire was given to mother or caretaker to record the jowar consumption. Spot urine samples of children were collected in plastic containers (20 ml) and brought to the laboratory in icebox. Ion selective electrode method was used to measure the fluoride level in urine samples of children. RESULTS: On comparison of the quantity of jowar and fluorosis using Pearson Chi-square test, difference among variable was found out to be statistically significant (P = 0.013, P < 0.05). On comparison of quantity jowar consumption and urinary fluoride level using Pearson Chi-square test, the difference among variable was found statistically significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Jowar consuming population was positively associated with severity of dental fluorosis.
Subject(s)
Fluorosis, Dental/etiology , Panicum/adverse effects , Adolescent , Child , Cross-Sectional Studies , Diet Surveys , Female , Fluorides/urine , Fluorosis, Dental/epidemiology , Humans , India , Male , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Tooth designation systems are routinely used in dental practice, for identification of teeth, recording dental data and communication among dental professionals. There are various dental notations systems for the primary and permanent dentition. The most popular are the Zsigmondy-Palmer system, the Universal Numbering System, and the FDI system. Others includes the Victor Haderup system, the Woelfel system, and the MICAP system. The majority of dental notations are focused on permanent teeth and are modified for primary teeth, even though the latter erupt before the permanent dentition. CONCLUSION: Advantages and disadvantages of notations for primary dentition are discussed and compared to a new alphanumeric system for primary teeth which is considered simple and convenient.
