DENTAL FLUOROSIS - A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY IN GANDHINAGAR DISTRICT

Abstract

Introduction

Dental Fluorosis is an irreversible but preventable disease commonly caused by excessive intake of fluoride during critical period of teeth development. Dental fluorosis is endemic in many areas of Indian subcontinent including many districts in the North Central part of Gujarat state.

Aims & Objectives

The study was undertaken to correlate the severity of dental fluorosis with variables like age, gender, drinking water fluoride levels and dental caries.

Materials & Methods

A total of 53 patients (30 males and 23 females) affected with dental fluorosis were selected for the study. The subjects were assessed for their age range, severity of the dental fluorosis (based on Dean's Fluorosis Index) and their drinking water fluoride levels (determined by lon Selective Electrode method). The subjects were also assessed for their dental caries prevalence using the DMFT index.

Results

Majority of the subjects belonged to third and fourth decades of life followed by the second decade. The highest number of subjects manifested moderate degree of dental fluorosis followed by severe degree and mild degrees respectively. There was a positive correlation of the severity of dental fluorosis with the level of fluoride in the drinking water as well as the DMFT index of the subjects,

Conclusion

A dentist often plays a prime role in detection of dental fluorosis, and hence in identification of the areas with higher water fluoride levels. This necessitates the dentists to be familiar with the clinical presentation of dental fluorosis as well as with areas affected by endemic dental fluorosis.