Abstract

AN ASSESSMENT OF DENTAL FLUOROSIS IN SCHOOL CHILDREN OF VALLIOOR UNION IN TIRUNELVELI DISTRICT

Saifullah Mohamed Ramlath Sabura* Somasundaram Muthalagi and Magil Inbaraj Delighta Mano Joyce

Abstract

Background: Fluorosis is an important public health problem in many countries, including India. In the present study, prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis among residents of selected villages of Vallioor union in Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu, India, were studied. Methodology: A total of 470 students aged between 5-16 were selected, examined and oral examination was performed after getting consent from the parents of selected children and the data was collected through the questionnaire. Students with dental fluorosis were examined as per Dean’s classification. The fluoride content of the drinking water, Community fluorosis index (CFI) and Fluoride exposure levels of the students were also calculated. Results: The highest percentage of dental fluorosis was seen in Lebbaikudieruppu with 75% and Periyanayagipuram with 59.25% and the amount of fluoride present in the drinking water in these areas ranged from 2.1 ppm to 4.6 ppm. The present study indicated that almost all the study areas are high fluorotic as the CFI exceeds 0.6. Conclusion: High prevalence of dental fluorosis and high community fluorosis index suggest that fluorosis is a major public health problem in the study areas. Recommendations: Fluoride poisoning can be prevented or minimized by using alternative water sources or by removing excessive fluoride (de-fluoridation) from drinking water and they can be advised to include protein rich food (with calcium and vitamin C) in their daily diet.

Keywords: Fluorosis, Fluoride, Vallioor, de-fluoridation, Dean’s classification.