“Prevalence of dental fluorosis in permanent teeth among school going children in Bhavnagar district – A cross sectional study“

Abstract

Abstract Dental fluorosis is a major endemic oral disease characterized by hypomineralization of enamel caused due to consumption of water containing high concentration of fluoride during developmental stages of teeth. Fluorosis is one of the severe public health problems in India.Bhavnagar district is one among them, where people are affected with dental and skeletal fluorosis. Aim: To assess the prevalence of dental fluorosis in permanent teeth among 06-12 years old school children in endemic fluoride areas of Bhavnagar district. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Bhavnagar district to assess the prevalence of dental fluorosis among 1500 school children in the age group of 6-12 years. Data collected included estimation of fluoride in the drinking water supply and measurement of dental fluorosis in school children. Results: Among total population of 1500 children, 746 were males and 754 were females. It shows the prevalence of Dental Fluorosis among total population of 1500 children, out of which 304 (40.75%) were males with fluorosis & 338 (44.82%) were females with fluorosis. Chi square test Pearson’s correlation test were applied to obtain inferential data. Conclusion: Our findings showed that the risk of dental fluorosis was significantly higher in the areas showing more fluoride content in drinking water.