[Caries or fluoridation--a comparison between Hamburg and Vordingborg (Denmark)]

Area of Science:

• Dental Public Health
• Pediatric Dentistry
• Fluoride Chemistry

Background:

• Dental caries represents a significant public health concern, necessitating substantial government funding.
• Childhood caries can lead to premature tooth loss, resulting in malocclusion and expensive orthodontic interventions.
• Official statistics highlight the prevalence of caries among school-aged populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the caries-inhibiting effects of fluoride on dental hard tissues.
• To compare caries incidence in populations with different levels of naturally occurring fluoride in drinking water.
• To underscore the economic and physiological benefits of fluoride in caries prevention.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of official statistics on caries incidence in Hamburg school children.
• Comparative epidemiological study of caries prevalence in Vordingborg (Denmark) and Roskilde.
• Evaluation of drinking water fluoride content in the studied regions (Vordingborg: 1.3-1.7 ppm; Roskilde: 0.1-0.3 ppm).

Main Results:

• Children in Vordingborg, with naturally high fluoride in drinking water, exhibited one-third the caries incidence compared to children in Roskilde.
• Despite identical school dental care, significant differences in caries rates were observed between the two groups.
• Fluoride's endogenous and exogenous effects demonstrably reduce caries incidence in developing and mature dentition.

Conclusions:

• Naturally fluoridated drinking water is a highly effective measure for reducing dental caries in children.
• Optimal fluoride levels in water can mitigate the need for extensive and costly orthodontic treatments.
• Public health strategies should consider water fluoridation as a cost-effective method for caries prevention.