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. 2021 Nov;33(7):707-712.
doi: 10.1016/j.sdentj.2020.04.004. Epub 2020 Apr 18.

Comparison of oral health indicators between two places of endemic dental fluorosis in Jordan

Salah A Al-Omoush  1 , Sandra Al-Tarawneh  1 , Motausm Abu-Awwad  1 , Samiha Sartawi  1 , Wijdan Elmanaseer  1 , Firas Alsoleihat  2
Affiliations

Comparison of oral health indicators between two places of endemic dental fluorosis in Jordan

Salah A Al-Omoush et al. Saudi Dent J. 2021 Nov.

Abstract

Introduction: Excessive fluoride intake during tooth development causes dental fluorosis.

Aim: This study aimed to (1) determine the prevalence of dental fluorosis in association with fluoride concentrations in drinking water, (2) explore the effects of altitude on the severity of fluorosis in two towns with high fluoride levels in the drinking water, and (3) assess decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) and oral hygiene practices among participants.

Material and methods: The sample consisted of 100 and 141 schoolchildren, aged 15.3 ± 1.4 and 16.1 ± 1.3 years, living in Ruwaished and Kuraymah, respectively. Oral examinations were carried out, and dental fluorosis was assessed using the Dean's index. The DMFT index was also used for assessment. Samples of drinking water were analyzed using a fluoride-ion selective electrode. SPSS was used to analyze the data.

Results: Two-thirds (68.8%) of adults from Kuraymah had moderate to severe fluorosis, with only 7% being unaffected. In Ruwaished, 50% of the sample had severe fluorosis, 22% showed moderate fluorosis, and none were unaffected. The average DMFT scores were 3.18 ± 1.81 and 3.81 ± 1.41 for Kuraymah and Ruwaished, respectively. In both towns, males had significantly higher caries scores than females. Oral hygiene was poor, as 64% and 57% of the participants from Kuraymah and Ruwaished, respectively, did not brush their teeth. A significant correlation was found between poor oral hygiene and increased DMFT scores.

Conclusions: This study concluded that higher fluorosis incidence and severity were present in the higher-altitude location (Ruwaished). Moreover, this study also indicated that fluorosed teeth are not immune to caries, and the preventive management of dental fluorosis should be directed to de-fluoridation of drinking water in endemic areas.

Keywords: Altitude; DMFT index; Dean’s index; Dental fluorosis; Oral hygiene.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest in the present study.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Examples of fluorosis severity in Ruwaished and Kuraymah. A. normal. B. very mild. C. mild. D. moderate. E. severe.
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