Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2017 Nov;9(Suppl 1):S88-S91.
doi: 10.4103/jpbs.JPBS_77_17.

Comparative Evaluation of Dental and Skeletal Fluorosis in an Endemic Fluorosed District, Salem, Tamil Nadu

Maya Ramesh  1 , N Malathi  2 , K Ramesh  3 , Rita Mary Aruna  4 , Sarah Kuruvilla  5
Affiliations

Comparative Evaluation of Dental and Skeletal Fluorosis in an Endemic Fluorosed District, Salem, Tamil Nadu

Maya Ramesh et al. J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2017 Nov.

Abstract

Background: High levels of fluoride in the drinking water, especially ground water, results in skeletal fluorosis which involves the bone and major joints. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of skeletal fluorosis to compare with dental fluorosis in an endemically fluorosed population in the District of Salem, Tamil Nadu.

Materials and methods: Institutional ethical clearance was obtained. A total of 206 patients who reported to the Department of Hematology for blood investigations were the participants in this study. Age, sex, place, weight, height, dental fluorosis, and skeletal complaints were noted down. Body mass index was calculated, and statistical analysis was performed.

Results: Dental fluorosis was present in 63.1% and absent in 36.9% of the samples reported. Skeletal fluorosis was present in 24.8% and was absent in 75.2%. A large number of the patients had knee pain and difficulty in bending. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. Skeletal fluorosis and age were compared and P value was 0.00 and was significant. Dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis were compared and P value was found to be 0.000 and significant.

Discussion and conclusion: There is a need to take measures to prevent dental and skeletal fluorosis among the residents of Salem district. Calcium balance should be maintained, and fluoride intake should be minimized to reduce the symptoms. The government should provide water with low fluoride level for drinking and cooking. Once the symptoms develop, treatment largely remains symptomatic, using analgesics and physiotherapy.

Keywords: Dean's index; dental fluorosis; prevalence; skeletal fluorosis.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

References

    1. Susheela AK, editor . Doctor's Handbook. 1st ed. New Delhi: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (GOI) and WHO India Country Office; 2005. Fluorosis: An easily preventable disease through practice of interventions; p. 121.
    1. Soriano M, Manchón F. Radiological aspects of a new type of bone fluorosis, periostitis deformans. Radiology. 1966;87:1089–94. - PubMed
    1. Ramesh M, Narasimhan M, Krishnan R, Chalakkal P, Aruna RM, Kuruvilah S, et al. The prevalence of dental fluorosis and its associated factors in Salem district. Contemp Clin Dent. 2016;7:203–8. - PMC - PubMed
    1. [Last accessed on 2017 May 16]. Available from: http://www.medindia.net/doctors/clinical_cal/bmi.asp .
    1. Mariano-Menez M, Wakley G, Farley S, Baylink D. Fluoride metabolism and the osteoporotic patient. In: Simmons D, editor. Nutrition and Bone Development. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 1990. pp. 295–301.