Assessment Of Dental Fluorosis Among Patients At A Northern India District Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study
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Abstract
Background: Dental fluorosis, a condition caused by excessive fluoride intake during tooth development, is a significant public health concern in regions with high fluoride levels in drinking water. This study aims to assess the prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis among patients at a district hospital in northern India and examine its association with oral hygiene and periodontal disease.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Dentistry, Autonomous State Medical College, Fatehpur, India, over twelve months from June 2022 to June 2023. A convenience sample of 1,879 adult patients aged 18 years and above was recruited. Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire, clinical examinations for dental fluorosis severity using the Thylstrup and Fejerskov Index (TFI), oral hygiene assessment using the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (SOHI), and periodontal disease diagnosis based on bleeding on probing and probing depth. Statistical analyses were performed using chi-square tests and Spearman correlation coefficients.
Results: The study found that 58.4% of participants exhibited dental fluorosis, with 27.4% having mild and 19.5% having moderate fluorosis. Poor oral hygiene was observed in 14.4% of participants, and 23.8% had periodontitis. Significant associations were found between dental fluorosis severity and oral hygiene status (p < 0.01), as well as between dental fluorosis severity and periodontitis (p < 0.05). A moderate positive correlation was identified between dental fluorosis and SOHI (r = 0.34, p < 0.01), and between SOHI and periodontitis (r = 0.41, p < 0.01).
Conclusion: The study underscores the high prevalence of dental fluorosis in northern India and its association with poor oral hygiene and periodontal disease. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive public health strategies to mitigate fluoride exposure and improve oral health practices among the affected population. Further research with larger, geographically diverse samples and longitudinal studies is recommended to better understand the long-term impacts of dental fluorosis on oral health.
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References
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