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The effects of a break in water fluoridation on the development of dental caries and fluorosis.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Burt, BA; Keels, MA; Heller, KE
Published in: J Dent Res
February 2000

Durham, NC, fluoridated since 1962, had an 11-month cessation of fluoridation between September, 1990, and August, 1991. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of this break on the development of caries and fluorosis in children. Study participants were continuously-resident children in Kindergarten through Grade 5 in Durham's elementary schools. There were 1696 children, 81.4% of those eligible, for whom a questionnaire was completed and clinical data recorded. Age cohorts were defined by a child's age at the time that fluoridation ceased. Caries was recorded in children in the Birth Cohort through Cohort 3, and fluorosis for children in Cohorts 1 through 5. Caries was assessed in the primary first and second molars according to the decayed-filled index; fluorosis on the labial surfaces of the upper permanent central and lateral incisors was assessed by the Thylstrup-Fejerskov (TF) index. Mother's education was associated with caries; higher education of the mother had an odds ratio of 0.53 (95% CI 0.40, 0.76) for caries in the child. No cohort effects could be discerned for caries. Overall prevalence of fluorosis was 44%. Prevalence in Cohorts 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 was 39.8%, 32.3%, 33.0%, 62.3%, and 57.1%, respectively. These cohort differences remained statistically significant in regression analysis. It was concluded that while the break had little effect on caries, dental fluorosis is sensitive to even small changes in fluoride exposure from drinking water, and this sensitivity is greater at 1 to 3 years of age than at 4 or 5 years.

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Published In

J Dent Res

DOI

ISSN

0022-0345

Publication Date

February 2000

Volume

79

Issue

2

Start / End Page

761 / 769

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Tooth, Deciduous
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Regression Analysis
  • Prevalence
  • Odds Ratio
  • North Carolina
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Mothers
  • Molar
 

Citation

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Burt, B. A., Keels, M. A., & Heller, K. E. (2000). The effects of a break in water fluoridation on the development of dental caries and fluorosis. J Dent Res, 79(2), 761–769. https://doi.org/10.1177/00220345000790021001
Burt, B. A., M. A. Keels, and K. E. Heller. “The effects of a break in water fluoridation on the development of dental caries and fluorosis.J Dent Res 79, no. 2 (February 2000): 761–69. https://doi.org/10.1177/00220345000790021001.
Burt BA, Keels MA, Heller KE. The effects of a break in water fluoridation on the development of dental caries and fluorosis. J Dent Res. 2000 Feb;79(2):761–9.
Burt, B. A., et al. “The effects of a break in water fluoridation on the development of dental caries and fluorosis.J Dent Res, vol. 79, no. 2, Feb. 2000, pp. 761–69. Pubmed, doi:10.1177/00220345000790021001.
Burt BA, Keels MA, Heller KE. The effects of a break in water fluoridation on the development of dental caries and fluorosis. J Dent Res. 2000 Feb;79(2):761–769.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Dent Res

DOI

ISSN

0022-0345

Publication Date

February 2000

Volume

79

Issue

2

Start / End Page

761 / 769

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Tooth, Deciduous
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Regression Analysis
  • Prevalence
  • Odds Ratio
  • North Carolina
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Mothers
  • Molar