DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2017.v05i04.009

Pages: 314-319

Attention to health and prevention of disease occurrence has priority to treatment. High fluoride intake through drinking water is one of the important factors of dental flourosis. The present study investigated the prevalence of dental fluorosis in children between 6 to 12 years old in Bahar city and fluoride levels in drinking water. This work was a cross-sectional study. 288 students between 6 to 12 years old (144 females and 144 males) were entered in study. Dean index of dental fluorosis was used to determine the fluorosis intensity of teeth. Exclusion criteria included: lack of central tooth in the mouth, use of fluoride supplements, students who were not born or spend their childhood in Bahar city. Also, a water sample of the Bahar city reservoir was taken to measure the fluoride level in the Health faculty lab of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences. Fluoride level was measured using SPANDS method. The data were analyzed using SPSS v.16 software and by student t test, Chi-square and one sample t test. The fluoride level in drinking water was 0.66 PPM. Total community fluorosis index (FCI) was 0.5503±0.4920 which was significantly higher in upper jaw (p=0.001). Fluorosis were 9.7% )11.8% of boys and 7.6% girls) in all students which was not statistically significant regarding sex (p=0.233). No mandibular and maxillary molars were affected by fluorosis. There were no significant difference between fluorosis intensity and gender of students (P>0.05). Fluorosis intensity in school children of Bahar city was reduced than previous years. However regular and periodical examinations in health homes, oral health education to parents and students to prevent the complications of fluorosis, as well as regular follow up by dental professionals for early diagnosis of fluorosis is strongly recommended.