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Associations between the total fluoride content of dental plaque and individual caries experience in Australian children
Author(s) -
Agus Helen M.,
Schamschula R. G.,
Barmes D. E.,
Bunzel M.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
community dentistry and oral epidemiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.061
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1600-0528
pISSN - 0301-5661
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0528.1976.tb00986.x
Subject(s) - fluoride , medicine , dentifrice , dentistry , dental plaque , dental fluorosis , inorganic chemistry , chemistry
Individual caries experience (DMFT) and the total fluoride content of dental plaque were determined for 72 schoolchildren, aged 9.7–13.0 years, lifelong residents in one of three New South Wales towns, where the fluoride levels of the reticulated water supplies were: Katoomba, < 0.1 parts/10 6 ; Sydney, 1.0 parts/10 6 for 4 years; and Yass, 1.0 parts/10 6 for 16 years, prior to sampling. The mean fluoride content of plaque in Sydney (22.6, s.d. =± 16.8 parts/10 6 ) and Yass (25.6, s.d. =± 16.4 parts/10 6 ) differed significantly (t = 2.27, P < 0.05 and t = 3.30, P < 0.02, respectively) from that in Katoomba (13.5, s.d. =± 8.3 parts/10 6 ). Significant inverse associations were demonstrated between total plaque fluoride and individual caries experience (DMFT) in Sydney (r =−0.45, P < 0.025) and overall (r =−0.28, P < 0.010). Inverse trends were established between plaque quantity (dry weight of plaque collected) and fluoride levels. No associations could be demonstrated between fluoride treatment (dentifrice, tablets or topical application) and plaque fluoride, DMFT or plaque quantity.