A comparative analysis of caries and fluorosis among cities with and without public water supply fluoridation in São Paulo State, Brazil

Authors

  • Suzely Adas Saliba Moimaz Unesp- Araçatuba
  • Adriana Cristina Oliva Costa Unesp- Araçatuba
  • Lígia Prandi da Silva Unesp-Araçatuba
  • Orlando Saliba Unesp-Araçatuba
  • Cléa Adas Saliba Garbin
  • Kátia Santos Araújo

Keywords:

Dental caries, fluorosis, dental, fluoridation

Abstract

Purpose: This population-based, cross-sectional study aimed to record the DMFT index for 12 year-old children with dental caries and fluorosis levels in cities with and without public water supply fluoridation. Methods: From the 101 municipalities belonging to the Health Regional Department XV (DRS-XV-SJRP) of the São Paulo state in the Southeast region of Brazil, 85 cities were selected after exclusion of those with incomplete data and less than ten years of fluoridation treatment in 2004. The criteria adopted for the assessment of dental caries and fluorosis levels were based on the guidelines published in the WHO Manual 4th edition. The data were analyzed using Fisher’s exact tests at a significance level of 5%. Results: The prevalence of caries in 12 year-old children had no significant association with fluoridated water, and was considered “moderate” and “high” in cities without fluoridation and “low” and “moderate” in cities with fluoridation. A significant association was found between water fluoridation and fluorosis (P=0.001), but not between water fluoridation and the DMFT index (P=0.119). Conclusion: The prevalence of fluorosis was related to water fluoridation in this study. However, fluorosis was also observed in non-fluoridated cities, which may result from fluoride intake through other sources.

Author Biographies

Suzely Adas Saliba Moimaz, Unesp- Araçatuba

Professora Doutora Adjunto. Departamento de Odontologia Infantil e Social da Faculdade de Odontologia de Araçatuba. Universidade Estadual Júlio de Mesquita Filho, São Paulo - Brasil.

Adriana Cristina Oliva Costa, Unesp- Araçatuba

Doutoranda em Odontologia Social e Preventiva. Departamento de Odontologia Infantil e Social da Faculdade de Odontologia de Araçatuba. Universidade Estadual Júlio de Mesquita Filho, São Paulo - Brasil.

Lígia Prandi da Silva, Unesp-Araçatuba

Graduanda em Odontologia. Faculdade de Odontologia de Araçatuba.Universidade Estadual Júlio de Mesquita Filho, São Paulo-Brasil

Orlando Saliba, Unesp-Araçatuba

Professor Titular. Departamento de Odontologia Infantil e Social da Faculdade de Odontologia de Araçatuba. Universidade Estadual Júlio de Mesquita Filho, São Paulo - Brasil.

Kátia Santos Araújo

Cirugiã-dentista Especialista em Saúde Pública do Departamento Regional de Saúde DRS XV do Estado de São Paulo - Brasil.

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Published

2009-12-05

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Original Article