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Caries experience and fluorosis prevalence in Chilean children from different socio‐economic status
Author(s) -
Villa Alberto E.,
Guerrero Sonia
Publication year - 1996
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.1600-0528.1996.tb00847.x
Subject(s) - medicine , dental fluorosis , socioeconomic status , dentistry , enamel paint , molar , demography , environmental health , fluoride , population , inorganic chemistry , chemistry , sociology
Caries experience and enamel fluorosis prevalence in 8‐year‐old children belonging to different socio‐economic classes were determined in two Chilean twin cities that are served by optimally fluoridated community water from the same waterworks facility. Low socio‐economic status (LSES) children had a higher mean dm ft and DMFT indices (P<0.001) than high socioeconomic status (HSES) children. Prevalence of enamel fluorosis in the permanent teeth of LSES children was 0.79, significantly higher ( X 2 = 9.0; P<0.003) than the value 0.59 found in HSES children. The proportion of Dean's scores 2. 3, 4 and 5 in first molars, mandibular and maxillary incisors in LSES children was higher than in HSES children (P<0.001). Differences in prevalence and seventy of enamel fluorosis between both groups are tentatively attributed lo a different pattern of tap water and tea consumption at pre‐school ages. Suggestions are advanced to minimize the undesirable prevalence and severity of enamel fluorosis.