Caries prevalence decreases after water fluoridation cessation

Subjects. The subjects were 1696 children born between March 1985 and September 1990 who were, at the time of examination, in kindergarten through grade 5 in Durham, N.C. Exposure. An approximate 11-month break in water fluoridation between September 1990 and mid-August 1991. The usual water fluoridation level was 1 ppm, and during the fluoride cessation (for technical reasons) it was zero or sub-optimal for the 11-month period. Main Outcome Measure. Caries examination of the primary molars with the use of probes and mirrors. Fluorosis examination of labial surfaces of the permanent upper central and lateral incisors. Main Results. The odds for fluorosis when permanent incisors developed in the presence of water fluoridation were 152% (95% CI, 75%-262%) and 112% (95% CI, 0.46%-0.09%) when compared with the odds for fluorosis when permanent incisors developed in the absence of fluoridation Cessation of water fluoridation had no significant effect on caries prevalence (Table 9).

Duke Scholars

Author Martha Ann Keels Surgery