AUTHOR(S): Arpitha Kotha, Y Vijay Kumar, B Pratibha, ASK Bhargava and Ankitha CH

ABSTRACT:Introduction- Fluoride content has always been a concern for health care professionals as the deficiency of the element fluoride has been associated with defective enamel formation in teeth and the excess has been associated with skeletal and dental fluorosis. Materials & Methods- It included 1075 students ranged from 8- 15 years of age of both gender. In all students, demographic data, permanent residential address, information on source of drinking water, aids used for oral hygiene maintenance (fluoridated or nonfluoridated) and fluorosis was recorded using dean’s fluorosis Index. Results- The present study consisted of 525 boys and 550 girls. The difference was non- significant (P- 0.1). 21% boys and 22% girls had dental fluorosis. The difference was non- significant (P- 1). Dental fluorosis was seen in 10 boys and 10 girls in age group 8-9 years, 45 boys and 50 girls in age group 10-11 years, 35 boys and 40 girls in age group 12-13 years and 20 boys and 25 girls in age group 14-15 years. The difference was significant (P<0.05). The questionable grade consisted of 15 boys and 17 girls, very mild had 20 boys and 25 girls, mild had 30 boys and 35 girls, moderate had 25 boys and 22 girls and severe had 10 boys and 26 girls. The difference was significant (P<0.05). Conclusion- Dental fluorosis in common in school children in age range 10-11 years of age. Girls were more commonly involved as compared to boys. Water fluoridation above 1.2ppm was cause of dental fluorosis.

Pages: 188-190  |  1772 Views  157 Downloads