Abstract
Objective: To identify the prevalence of dental fluorosis in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Material and Methods: Literature search for the present study aimed to include all the relevant studies conducted in Saudi Arabia that reported prevalence of dental fluorosis. A literature search was done using keywords (dental, fluorosis, prevalence) using three databases (Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science). Grey literature was also searched using Google Scholar and research gate. Literature was searched from 1939 till April 2020. The risk of bias was reported using JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Studies Reporting Prevalence Data. Twelve studies were included based on inclusive criteria. The only inclusive criteria were studies that were conducted among people living in Saudi Arabia, and studies that reported the prevalence of dental fluorosis. Samples from all age groups that reported prevalence of dental fluorosis were included. MedCalc statistical software was used to perform the analysis. Results: The overall prevalence of dental fluorosis was found to be 46.52%, 95 CI (26.52% to 67.12%). I2 value was reported 99.8%, 95 CI (99.78% to 99.83%), indicating high heterogeneity amongst the finding of studies. Funnel plots indicate the presence of a strong publication bias. Overall, we found some contrasting findings. One study reported prevalence of dental fluorosis as 0% and other with a comparatively large sample size found dental fluorosis to be 90.6%. Conclusion: The present study adds to the literature regarding dental fluorosis in Saudi Arabia by providing an overview of its prevalence. It is concluded that prevalence of dental fluorosis was a bit high. However, findings indicate publication bias. We did not account for severity of dental fluorosis. All the available data was analyzed to measure dental fluorosis prevalence without considering the sample size and sampling technique.
Highlights
Dental fluorosis is quite abundant in various populations around the globe
The only inclusive criteria were studies that were conducted among people living in Saudi Arabia, and studies that reported the prevalence of dental fluorosis
The present study adds to the literature regarding dental fluorosis in Saudi Arabia by providing an overview of its prevalence
Summary
Dental fluorosis is quite abundant in various populations around the globe. For certain geographical regions, mostly the hilly areas, it is quite common and considered as a substantial dental public health problem [1]. It is a development disorder that occurs during the stage of tooth formation because of excessive fluoride exposure It decreases the mineral content of dental enamel by creating porosity [2], which in return can brittle the enamel surface, making it susceptible to break. One of the most significant complications linked with excessive fluoride is esthetic changes to dental enamel It is quite common among children highly exposed to extreme fluoride levels during 2-3 years of age [4]. It seems that dental fluorosis in on the raise in area rich in fluoride and in many non-fluoridated regions [5]
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