Community Dental Health

cover art

Cover Date:
December 2016
Print ISSN:
0265 539X
Vol:
33
Issue:
4

Prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis in four English cities

Objective:  To assess the prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis in four city-based populations using a robust photographic method with TF index reporting; and to record the aesthetic satisfaction scores of children in all four cities. Basic research design: Cross sectional epidemiological survey (surveillance). Participants: 1,904 children aged 11-14 years, in four English cities. Interventions: Two cities were served by community water fluoridation schemes supplying water at 1mg/l F. The other two cities did not have water fluoridation schemes and had low levels of fluoride naturally present. Main outcome measures: The prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis. Scoring was undertaken using high quality digital images by a single calibrated examiner. Results: Data suggest that the prevalence of fluorosis at levels greater than TF2 are broadly similar to previous studies (F 10%, NF 2%), with an apparent increase in the total number of TF1 cases across both fluoridated (41%) and non-fluoridated cities (32%) with a commensurate decrease in TF0 (F 39%, NF 63%). Data suggest that the proportion of children expressing dissatisfaction with the appearance of their teeth is the same in fluoridated and non-fluoridated communities although the reasons for this may differ. Conclusions: The levels of fluorosis that might be considered of aesthetic concern are low and stable while the increase in TF1 may be due to an increase in self- and professionally-applied fluoride products or the increased sensitivity afforded by the digital imaging system. It is not however a public health problem or concern. Further monitoring appears justified.

Key words: dental fluorosis, TF index, water fluoridation, dental health survey, England

doi:10.1922/CDH_3930Pretty05

Article Price
£15.00
Institution Article Price
£
Page Start
292
Page End
296
Authors
I.A. Pretty, N. Boothman, J. Morris, L. MacKay, Z. Liu, M. McGrady, M. Goodwin

Articles from this issue

  • Title
  • Pg. Start
  • Pg. End

  1. Abstracts - EADPH 2016
  2. 0
  3. 0

  1. Valedictory Editorial: The past six years
  2. 238
  3. 238

  1. An intervention study to assess the effectiveness of a reminder telephone call in improving patient appointment attendance at a Community Dental Service clinic
  2. 239
  3. 241

  1. The acceptability of healthcare: from satisfaction to trust
  2. 242
  3. 251

  1. Patient characteristics in relation to dental care payment model: capitation vs fee for service
  2. 252
  3. 256

  1. Payment systems and oral health in Swedish dental care: Observations over six years
  2. 257
  3. 261

  1. A summary of knowledge about the oral health of older people in England and Wales
  2. 262
  3. 266

  1. The use of diet diaries in general dental practice in England
  2. 267
  3. 273

  1. Psychometric properties of the English version of the Oral Health Literacy Adults Questionnaire - OHL-AQ
  2. 274
  3. 280

  1. Approximal caries increment in relation to baseline approximal caries prevalence among adolescents in Sweden with and without a school-based fluoride varnish programme
  2. 281
  3. 285

  1. Variation in methods used to determine national mean DMFT scores for 12-year-old children in European countries
  2. 286
  3. 291

  1. Prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis in four English cities
  2. 292
  3. 296

  1. The relationship between maternal smoking during pregnancy and parental-reported experience of dental caries in Indigenous Australian children
  2. 297
  3. 302

  1. Dental problems and Familismo: social network discussion of oral health issues among adults of Mexican origin living in the Midwest United States
  2. 303
  3. 308