Assessment of dental fluorosis in children of Jaipur district, Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the present study was carried out to explore the potential association between fluoride concentration in drinking water and severity of dental fluorosis (DF) in the children. Methods: The study of DF in the children (6-14 years old) was conducted in the two blocks (a) Jamwa Ramgarh block in; Heerawala, Palera, Nayabas, Saipur and Birasana, (b) Amber block in; Jugalpura, Chitanukalan, Sunder ka bas, Peelwa and Sirsali of Jaipur district, Rajasthan, India of the study villages. Totally, 150 children were surveyed. The role of fluoride (F) levels in drinking water in the etiology of DF and the cases of DF in both dentitions and teeth were also assessed using Dean’s classification. The fluoride (F) concentration in source of drinking water was estimated by fluoride (F) ion specific electrode (Thermo Scientific Orion Star A329, USA). Results: The F concentration in (Tube well and Hand pump) water ranges from 0.7 to 15.0 parts per million (ppm) in Jamwa Ramgarh block and 1.40-5. 10 ppm in Amber block. The prevalence of DF 27 (36%) in Jamwa Ramgar block and 26 (34.66%) in Amber block out of 75 children were examined in each block. Significantly increase in levels of F in drinking water is positively correlated with DF. Conclusion: This study finding has shown the relation of DF to high fluoride (F) levels in drinking water sources. A higher fluoride (F) levels in source of drinking water is a major risk factor for DF. In view of the severity of the problem, the intake of calcium-rich foods and defluoridation techniques may help reducing risk of DF in the children.