Impact of dental Fluorosis on quality of life of a group of Children in a Rural area in Nubia Region.

Abstract

Background: Dental fluorosis is an oral condition caused by the ingestion of fluoride ions present mainly in drinkingwater. High fluoride level in drinking water may cause dental signs and symptoms that may affect the individual’squality of life. Aim: Assess dental fluorosis prevalence among Nubian children and estimate its effect on the quality of lifethrough an oral health related quality of life questionnaire. Methods: The current study was performed on participantswith age range 7-14 years in a rural region in Nubia with number of population 202. Subjects were examined clinicallyfor Dental fluorosis using modified Dean’s Index. Quality of life of children was evaluated using Oral Health relatedQuality of Life questionnaire (OHQoL). Results: it was found that mean fluoride level of water in Nubia was 8 mg/L,mean Fluorosis status in children was 2.31. There was no correlation between DF and OHQoL domains except for; ‘selfconcious’ and ‘difficult to relax’ items which recorded moderate positive significant correlation. Conclusion: OHQoLrevealed that DF had low impact on quality of life of Nubian children.