Prevalence of dental Fluorosis among children aged 12 to 17 years in an endemically affected area of Rural Bangalore – a Cross Sectional study

Objective: This study was undertaken to assess the prevalence and severity of Dental Fluorosis among children aged 12 -17 years in an endemically affected area in Rural Bangalore and to determine the public health significance of Dental Fluorosis. Introduction: Ground water has been a significant water source for domestic, irrigating, and industrial purposes in India. More than 85% of rural and 50% of urban domestic water requirements is met from ground water resources [1] . Presence of excess amount of fluoride in drinking water leads to dental fluorosis. Methodology: This was a cross sectional study conducted in the rural field practice area of RajaRajeswari Medical College and Hospital Bangalore. A total of 250 study subjects belonging to the age group of 12 to 17 years were studied. The dental Fluorosis was assessed in the mixed dentition and was graded using Dean’s index and Community Fluorosis Index calculated. Results: The prevalence of dental Fluorosis was 60.8%. The highest percentage of study subjects suffered from Grade 2 Dental Fluorosis i.e., Mild Fluorosis (25.2%) as per Dean’s Index and the least seen was Severe Dental Fluorosis (5.2%). The Community Fluorosis Index was 0.45 suggesting the concerned issue as a Borderline public health problem. Conclusion: It was concluded that Dental Fluorosis is a public health problem among children of villages coming under Ittamadu Primary Health Centre, Ramnagar District. It needs to be rectified at the earliest for implementation of policy.