[Analysis of environmental indicators in relation to structural disorders of dental tissues]

An epidemiological investigation revealed a high incidence of structural disorders of dental tissues in the child population of Prague. While hypoplastic disorders are steadily diminishing, there is an ever rising trend of hypomineralization. The observed disorders of hypomineralization are becoming a serious clinical problem. The aim of the present investigation was to assess to what extent exogenous harmful substances participate in the development of hypomineralization: infectious diseases, tetracycline antibiotics, excess fluorine intake and type of drinking water--from the water-mains or wells. The data were assembled by means of questionnaires. Two clinical investigations comprising 300 children, mean age 13 years, suggest that among the investigated indicators only the type of drinking water can be associated with the development of the observed changes. Children drinking from birth water from wells had significantly fewer disorders of mineralization than children who drank water from the water-mains. The submitted paper presents partial results of the state research plan of technical development.