Prevalence of dental caries and dental fluorosis among 12 and15 year-old school children in an endemic fluoride area of Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

Introduction:The published literature on the prevalence of dental caries and luorosis in Nalgonda district, an endemic luoride belt in India was scanty. Objective: To determine the prevalence of dental caries and dental luorosis among 12 and 15 years old school children in relation to luoride concentration in Nalgonda district. Materials and Methods: Strati ied random sampling technique was employed to select 20 schools from Nalgonda district. These areas were divided into four categories, low, medium, high and very high luoride areas based on the luoride concentration. The oral examination for dental caries and luorosis among children who ful illed the inclusion and exclusion criteria were conducted by a single trained and calibrated examiner using mouth mirror and CPI (Community Periodontal Index) probe under natural daylight. The data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences SPSS version 16. Results: The prevalence of dental caries among 12 and 15 year old school children was 42.6% and 48.6% respectively. The prevalence was more among females (56.9%) than males (34.2%). The prevalence was more in low luoride area (67%) followed by very high luoride area (56.1%). The lowest prevalence was in medium luoride area (20.5%). The prevalence of dental luorosis increased with increasing luoride concentration with no difference in the gender and age distribution. Conclusion: De luoridation of water in areas where the concentration of luoride is more than optimal is an immediate need as dental luorosis is a major public health problem in these areas.