| ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2011 | Volume
: 9
| Issue : 18 | Page : 746-751 |
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Prevalence of dental caries, dental fluorosis and its relation in water fluoride levels among school children in Markapur Mandal, Andhra Pradesh
S Ranganath1, S Naganandini2
1 Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Public Health Dentistry, M.R. Ambedkar Dental College and Hospital, Bengaluru, India
2 Professor and Head, Dept. of Public Health Dentistry, The Oxford Dental College and Hospital, Bengaluru, India
Correspondence Address:
S Ranganath
Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Public Health Dentistry, M.R. Ambedkar Dental College and Hospital, Bengaluru
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
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Background and Objectives: Dental caries is a major public health problem. Many studies indicated a negative association between drinking water fluoride levels and dental caries. But there are studies, which showed the association to be positive or none. This study was conducted to assess prevalence of dental caries and dental fluorosis at different water fluoride levels in Markapur mandal of Andhra Pradesh. Method: A cross sectional analytical study was conducted among the permanent residents of Markapur mandal. A total of 2100 school children aged 5-16 years were selected by random sampling from the schools in the different villages of the mandal with different levels of natural fluoride concentrations in drinking water. Dental caries was recorded using DMFT and deft indices. Dental fluorosis was recorded using Dean's classification of fluorosis. Results: Males were more than the females. The mean deft/DMFT gradually increased from the below optimal category to optimal category and to the above optimal category. 85.4% were affected with fluorosis in the permanent teeth and the percentage increased as the fluoride levels increased. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Chi Square and multiple regression analysis were done for the statistical analysis. Conclusion: There was a direct positive relationship between water fluoride levels and prevalence of dental caries and fluorosis. Fluorosis was also seen even in areas with below optimal and optimal fluoride levels in school children of Markapur mandal.
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