Dental fluorosis and associated risk factors among secondary school students in Zing community, North-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Fluorosis affects both children’s oral health and quality of life because even the mildest form of tooth discoloration is considered cosmetically unacceptable and is a cause of psychological concern for those affected. This study aims to assess the prevalence of dental fluorosis and determine its associated risk factors among adolescents in the Zing community. This study is a quantitative crosssectional survey. The study participants were 300 children residing in Zing community and studying in one of the secondary schools selected for this study using a systematic random sampling technique. A questionnaire was designed and pretested to record information about demographic characteristics and risk factors for dental fluorosis. The children were also asked about their source of water consumption and their main source of drinking water recorded. The Dean Fluorosis Index (1934) was used to determine the grade of the severity of dental fluorosis. A Chi-square analysis test was used to test for possible associations. The prevalence of dental fluorosis was calculated as 52.0% and it varied significantly with age. A severe form of dental fluorosis (21.7%) was the most common grade of severity of dental fluorosis. Mild dental fluorosis had the lowest prevalence of 6.0%. The correlation between the occurrence of dental fluorosis and the duration of residence was found to be highly statistically significant (p≤0.001). The prevalence of dental caries in this study was 12.7%. No correlation was found between dental fluorosis and caries status. The prevalence of dental fluorosis was significantly high among the secondary school students of the Zing community in Taraba State. There is thus a need for health education and community awareness for preventing fluorosis and for early intervention to reduce the consequences on dental and periodontal health status.