Individual samples of urine, fingernails, head-hair, saliva, plaque and enamel were collected from three groups of Hungarian children, aged 14 years, who were exposed to contrasting water fluoride levels (less than or equal to 0.11 ppm; 0.5-1.1 ppm; 1.6-3.1 ppm). The mean fluoride concentration of the samples increased consistently and significantly, but mostly non-proportionately, with increasing water fluoride level. With the exception of plaque, the materials examined are considered suitable indicators of exposure to or systemic utilization of fluoride for population groups. Caries experience decreased with increasing fluoride exposure. Dental fluorosis constituted no clinical or aesthetic problem.
A pilot survey of oral health included 83 adolescent and adult Aborigines (41 M, 42 F, range 16--70 years, mean age 37.3 years), resident in fringe settlements around the far western New South Wales towns of Brewarrina and Walgett (fluoride in water less than or equal to 0.02--0.26 parts/10(6)). Dental caries prevalence (mean DIMFT per person) increased from 17.1 at 20 years to 10.7 at 35 years and declined to 14.6 by the age of 50 years and over. Oral hygiene (OHI) was poor overall and deteriorated with age. Periodontal status (PI) was significantly correlated with the presence of debris (DI) and calculus (CI). The mean PI increased from 1.7 at 20 years to 4.8 at 43 years and over. Tooth mortality reached 75% by the age of 43 years. Prosthetic needs were correspondingly high, but 95% of denture requirements were unmet. No evidence of effective or sustained oral health care was seen; 38% of subjects needed emergency treatment.
Double-layer superimposed biopsies were used for sampling sound labial enamel of upper permanent central incisor teeth of 189 children (mean age 8.4 years, SD = 0.36), comprising five groups, representing life-long exposure to contrasting concentrations of F in the water (range less than or equal to 0.12 ppm to 2.8 ppm) and to supplements of 200 or 350 mg F/kg domestic salt. The mean F concentrations of enamel ranged through the groups from 924 ppm to 2401 ppm in the surface layer (average central depth = 0.49 micron) and from 450 ppm to 1428 ppm in the subsurface layer (average central depth = 2.62 microns). The differences between the mean F concentrations of the groups were significant in each instance and the values consistently reflected the extent of F exposure. It was concluded that the F content of enamel is a reliable indicator of environmental exposure to F for populations, but not for every individual.
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