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Drinking Water Fluoride Levels, Dental Fluorosis, and Caries Experience in Brazil
Author(s) -
Cortes Denise Fonseca,
Ellwood Roger Phillip,
O'Mullane Dennis M.,
Magalhaes Bastos Jose Roberto
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
journal of public health dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1752-7325
pISSN - 0022-4006
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-7325.1996.tb02441.x
Subject(s) - fluoride , dental fluorosis , dentistry , medicine , molar , water fluoridation , permanent teeth , dental health , environmental health , chemistry , inorganic chemistry
Objectives : The main aim of this study was to consider the association between water fluoride levels and caries prevalence in three Brazilian populations. Methods : A total of 457 6–12‐year‐old lifetime residents from three economically deprived groups with 2–3, 0.7, and less than 0.01 ppm F in their water supplies were examined. Dental caries was recorded on permanent upper central incisors and first molars and all primary teeth (dmft). Results : There was a significant trend ( P <.01) for the mean dmft to decrease with increasing levels of fluoride in the drinking water. Caries experience in the six permanent teeth was significantly lower ( P <.01) in the area with 0.7 ppm F than in the other two groups. For the 2–3 ppm F group significantly more caries was found in subjects with higher TF scores ( P <.05). Conclusion : Optimization of fluoride levels in the drinking water remains a valuable dental public health measure in Brazil.