Enamel defects in fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas of South Australia.

Abstract

AbstractThe optimum level of fluoride in the water supply represents a balance between the maximum prevention of dental caries and the maintenance of an “acceptable” level of dental fluorosis. For temperate climates it has been accepted generally that a concentration of one part per million of fluoride is associated with a near maximum reduction in dental caries with only a small proportion experiencing the mildest level of dental fluorosis.In 1982,577 South Australian primary school children with near lifelong exposure to artificially fluoridated water and 277 primary school children, who had never resided in an area with a significant level of fluoride in its water, were examined by a single examiner to assess the prevalence and severity of the enamel defects.While alternative explanations are possible, the results suggest that South Australian children with life‐long or near life‐long exposure to water borne fluoride at a level of 1ppm show increased levels of enamel defects.