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Community fluoridation status and caries experience in children
J A Gillcrist1, D E Brumley, J U Blackford
1Tennessee Department of Health, Oral Health Services, Cordell Hull Building, 5th Floor, 425 5th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37247, USA. jgillcrist@mail.state.tn.us
Journal of Public Health Dentistry
|October 18, 2001
Summary
Water fluoridation significantly reduces tooth decay in children. Studies show lower caries experience in primary and permanent teeth in fluoridated communities compared to nonfluoridated ones.
Area of Science:
- Dental Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Pediatric Dentistry
Background:
- Dental caries remains a significant public health issue globally.
- Water fluoridation is a widely adopted preventive strategy for dental caries.
- Assessing the impact of fluoridation on caries experience is crucial for public health planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare dental caries experience between communities with and without water fluoridation.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of water fluoridation in reducing caries prevalence in children.
- To inform public health strategies for caries prevention.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional dental health survey was conducted in 62 East Tennessee communities during the 1996-97 school year.
- Oral examinations were performed on 17,256 elementary school children.
- Data collected included caries experience (dfs and DMFS) and caries-free status.
Main Results:
- Water fluoridation was significantly associated with lower caries experience in both primary (dfs) and permanent (DMFS) dentitions.
- Adjusted analyses revealed 21% lower caries in primary dentitions and 25% lower caries in permanent dentitions in fluoridated communities.
- The proportion of caries-free children was higher in fluoridated communities (19% primary, 6% permanent).
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest substantially lower dental caries experience in fluoridated communities compared to nonfluoridated ones.
- Water fluoridation is an effective public health measure for reducing caries prevalence in children.
- Further research could explore individual fluoride exposure and residency histories for more precise analysis.
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