Frequency of Dental Fluorosis in Population Drinking Water with High Fluoride Level in Thar

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to see the frequency of dental fluorosis in exposed area (Sammo Rind village of Thar District) and in unexposed area of Gadap town of Karachi and to find the association of fluoride level with dental fluorosis in both groups. METHODOLOGY: The water samples were taken from both the sites and fluoride estimation in water and geometrical, was determined using Fluoride Ion Selective Electrode (FISE) method. By random selection 121 subjects from Sammo Rind village and 121 controls from Gadap Town Karachi were included in study after informed consent. The participants were clinically examined by an expert university teacher dentist in proper dental setups in examination lights. RESULTS: A frequency of dental fluorosis of 100% was found among the study subjects with fluoride content as high as 6- 8 mg/dl as compared to prevalence of dental fluorosis 17.4% in unexposed group with water fluoride content as low as 0.30mg/dl. CONCLUSIONS: The high level of underground water fluoride level and cent per cent dental fluorosis in Thar area is an alarming situation that should be addressed immediately at national level. KEYWORDS: Exposed area, Dental Flurosis, Fluoride Level, Water Sample HOW TO CITE: Ahmed I, Ali A, Zaheer M, Fatima I, Khan N. Frequency of dental fluorosis in population drinking water with high fluoride level in Thar. J Pak Dent Assoc 2020;29(4):259-263. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25301/JPDA.294.259