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Enamel defects in a fluoridated south-east Asian community

Chellappah NK, Vignehsa H, Lo GL

Aust Dent J, 1990 Dec;35(6):530-5.
PMID: 2090085

The prevalence and distribution patterns of enamel defects in maxillary incisors was assessed in 194 Singaporean children aged 11-15 years and belonging to three different ethnic groups. All were born and continuously resident in Singapore, which has a tropical climate. The water supply was fluoridated in 1957 at a level of 0.7 ppm. The mouth prevalence of defects was 71.5 per cent and the tooth prevalence was 55.9 per cent; 82 per cent of all affected teeth demonstrated white lesions of various forms. Although there was no sex difference in the prevalence and distribution pattern of defects, some racial differences were observed. The results were compared with data from other studies where the same classification of defects was used.

Matched MeSH terms: Fluoridation*
Fulltext The prevalence of dental fluorosis and its associated factors in Salem district

Ramesh M, Narasimhan M, Krishnan R, Chalakkal P, Aruna RM, Kuruvilah S

Contemp Clin Dent, 2016 6 17;7(2):203-8.
PMID: 27307668 DOI: 10.4103/0976-237X.183061

CONTEXT: There are various regions in India that have high levels of fluoride in drinking water sources. Many people residing in such places suffer from dental fluorosis (DF).
AIMS: To evaluate the prevalence of DF in children residing in Salem and also to find any correlation between DF and other related factors.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: One school from each block of Salem (total 21 blocks) was selected for the study. A single examiner had evaluated untreated caries, lesions, and DF (for permanent anterior teeth and molars) using the Dean's fluorosis index, in all children. Water fluoride level determination at each school was done using the Tamil Nadu Water Fluoridation and Drainage Board field kit. Other factors that may have contributed to DF were assessed using a questionnaire, which was provided to each student. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using the SPSS software version 11.5.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis.
RESULTS: DF was present in 56.9% of the children examined. It was mostly seen in 9 years old (72%) and male (59%) children. A positive correlation was found between the occurrence of DF and the duration of residence in a place with high water fluoride content, consumption of borewell water (64%), the parts per million of fluoride in drinking water, consumption of black tea (59%). However, no correlation was found between DF, dental caries, consumption of milk, or consumption of foods cooked in aluminum vessels.
CONCLUSION: There was a correlation between DF and factors such as male gender, bore well water consumption, black tea consumption and the duration of residence in a place with high water fluoride content.

Matched MeSH terms: Fluoridation
Fulltext Mothers’ knowledge of fluoride toothpaste usage by their preschool - children

Tay HL, Jaafar N

Malaysian Dental Journal, 2008;29(2):140-148.
MyJurnal

Background: Mothers play an important role in preventing fluorosis due to inadvertent swallowing of fluoridated toothpaste and enhancing the effectiveness of toothbrushing amongst preschool children through proper supervision.
Aim: To investigate the knowledge of mothers with regards to the benefits and risks of fluoride toothpaste usage among preschool children and to assess the level of parental supervision during toothbrushing. In additional, we wish to investigate the toothpaste purchasing behaviour of mothers in relation to brand, price, flavour, fluoride content and the influence of advertisement.
Methodology: Cross-sectional study of a representative random sample of 373 mothers of 5-6 year old preschool children through self-administered questionnaires.
Result: The response rate was 90.3% (337). The majority (61.7%) of the mothers reported that the amount of toothpaste their children used was half-length. Most mothers (70.6%) claimed they usually apply toothpaste for their child. About one-half (50.4%) reported the children applied the toothpaste themselves. Only 41.2% of the respondents supervised their children every time during toothbrushing. The mean age at which the child started brushing and using toothpaste was about 34 months (S.D. 14.9) and 37 months (S.D.14.8) respectively. Almost all (95.8%) reported that their children rinsed their mouth after toothbrushing. The mothers’ choice of toothpaste for their child was influence by brand (91.4%), flavour (91.4%) and fluoride content (84.6%) with price being the least of the factors. The majority of the respondents (82.7%) had average to good overall knowledge scores. There was significant association (P=0.034) between the level of education of the mothers and their level of knowledge on fluoride toothpaste usage.
Conclusion: Future oral health messages for preschool children and mothers in Perlis should target areas found lacking in terms of knowledge and practices with regards to fluoride toothpaste usage. This includes regular supervision of preschool children during toothbrushing by parents and using only a small amount of toothpaste for young children.

Matched MeSH terms: Fluoridation
Fulltext Dental Fluorosis And Caries Status Among 12-13 Year-old School Children In Klang District, Malaysia

Esa, R., Razak, I.A.

Ann Dent, 2001;8(1):-.
MyJurnal

Several national studies have been undertaken to assess the prevalence of fluorosis utilizing the Dean's Index. However, the latest national study undertaken in 1997 (1) had utilized the DDE Index and hence does not allow comparisons to be made with the earlier set of national data. This cross-sectional study was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of dental fluorosis using the Dean's Index in a sample of 12-13 year-old schoolchildren and to assess the relationship between fluorosis and their caries status. The sampling procedure involved a multistage, clustered and stratified random sampling. The sample comprised of 1519 schoolchildren attending 20 secondary government and governmentaided schools in fluoridated urban and rural areas of Klang District in Peninsular Malaysia. There were 772 males and 747 females. Each subject was administered a questionnaire to elicit the demographic information. Intra-oral examination for dental fluorosis and caries was performed for each subject. The results demonstrated that more than half of the subjects (54 %) had no fluorosis, 13.2% had questionable fluorosis, 31.3% had very mild to mild fluorosis, 1.4% had moderate fluorosis and only 0.1 % exhibited severe fluorosis. The mouth prevalence was 32.8 %. The Community Fluorosis Index was 0.48 indicating a borderline score for public health significance. Fifty-two percent of the children were caries free. The mean DMFT for all subjects was 1.1, F(0.6) being the main component. Although girls had a higher mean DMFT score as compared to boys this difference was not significant. Significant differences in DMFT scores were observed by urbani rural distributions and ethnic groups (p < 0.01). No significant correlation was found between fluorosis and caries status. It is concluded that dental fluorosis does not appear to be a public health problem. Further coordinated in-depth research using similar criterias for assessing dental fluorosis is highly recommended.

Matched MeSH terms: Fluoridation
Attitudes towards the use of fluorides for oral health among Islamic clerics in Kelantan Province, Malaysia

Nazita Y, Jaafar N, Doss JG, Rahman MM

Community Dent Health, 2013 Mar;30(1):30-3.
PMID: 23550504

To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Imams (Islamic clerics) concerning fluoride toothpaste and fluoridated water to improve oral health in Kelantan.

Matched MeSH terms: Fluoridation
Fulltext Knowledge and attitudes of parents of children with nursing bottle syndrome in Serdang, Malaysia

Syahrial D, Abdul-Kadir R, Yassin Z, Jali NM

J Nihon Univ Sch Dent, 1995 Sep;37(3):146-51.
PMID: 7490607 DOI: 10.2334/josnusd1959.37.146

A study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the parents' level of knowledge, and their attitudes to nursing bottle syndrome. Of 284 children aged 2-6 years clinically examined, 153 were diagnosed as having nursing bottle syndrome based on the criterion that at least one upper maxillary incisor was affected by caries. The parents of the 153 affected children were then interviewed by questionnaire. The findings suggested that parents had adequate knowledge and a positive attitude towards maintaining satisfactory dental care for their children. However, these attitudes were not reflected in the dental health of their children. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Matched MeSH terms: Fluoridation
Prevalence of dental fluorosis in children in Singapore

Lo GL, Bagramian RA

Community Dent Oral Epidemiol, 1996 Feb;24(1):25-7.
PMID: 8833510

Prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis was assessed in 1739 Singaporean children aged 9, 12 and 16 yr in three different ethnic groups. All subjects had resided since birth in Singapore, which has a tropical climate. The water supply was fluoridated in 1957 at a level of 0.7 ppm. In this sample, mouth prevalence was 82.6%, tooth prevalence was 66.9%, the community fluorosis index was at 1.96; 9.2% of children had severe fluorosis and 26.2% had moderate fluorosis. There were no significant gender or racial differences. Prevalences were higher than those reported in most other studies. Due to differences in indices used and methodology, comparisons could not be made directly with other studies.

Matched MeSH terms: Fluoridation
Racial differences in perception of oral health and oral health behaviours in Singapore

Soh G

Int Dent J, 1992 Aug;42(4):234-40.
PMID: 1399041

Knowledge of prevention can influence preventive dental behaviours. This study surveyed knowledge and preventive dental behaviours on the prevention of dental caries and gum disease among the adult population of the three major racial groups in Singapore. Respondents were asked to rate the importance of several preventive measures against dental caries and gum disease. Questions were also fielded on dental behaviours such as preventive visits to the dentist, toothbrushing and flossing. Results showed that there was a general lack of appreciation for the use of flossing, dental sealants and fluoride supplements. Although a majority of respondents thought that regular dental checkups would be essential for prevention, the proportion who actually saw the dentist for preventive care was significantly lower. Respondents provided inappropriate reasons for brushing their teeth. Differences in both preventive knowledge and preventive dental behaviours among racial groups were evident although these were attributed to differences in education and exposure to product information rather than to racial or cultural factors.

Matched MeSH terms: Fluoridation