Prevalence of dental fluorosis in children and associated fluoride levels in drinking water sources of District Doda, J&K, India

Abstract

The present study was carried out to find the relationship between prevalence of dental fluorosis among the school children and concentration of fluoride ion in drinking water sources of village Arnora and Bhaboor of District Doda, J&K, India. All the underground drinking water sources of the area were analysed for fluoride ion estimation which was found ranging between 0.3-2.4 mg/land 1.5-2.5 mg/l in spring and hand pump, respectively. Dental health status for a total of 215 school children of the age group 12-16 years was examined using Dean’s fluorosis Index. The prevalence of dental fluorosis was 78.6% with 80% in female and 77.14% in males. No significant relation (P>0.05) between prevalence of dental fluorosis to the socioeconomic status of the children was found. The high prevalence of dental fluorosis in the area under survey suggests that the children are exposed to higher than optimal level of fluoride.