[Dental caries, urinary fluorides and enamel opacities]

The aim of this study was to analyse with different statistic models the relation between fluoride urinary concentration, fluorosis and dental caries in terms of water fluoridation. 3237 schoolchildren aged 5 to 21 years were examined by a single dentist in accordance with the guidelines of the World Health Organization and following the standardized system for diagnosing, recording and analyzing dental caries data of Möller & Poulsen (1973). The index of Thylstrup & Fejerskov (1978) was applied to measure the prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis. Urinary fluoride concentration in 3022 children and water fluoride concentration were measured. The results of this study show a close relation between a high percentage of urinary fluoride, the presence of opacities and a low caries index.