Developmental enamel defects in children with different fluoride supplementation--a follow-up study

The intake of fluorides with water, food, dental fluoride preparations, or in particular fluoride supplements, such as NaF tablets, may lead to dental fluorosis. In the present study conducted in a nonfluoridated area in Germany, developmental enamel defects were examined using the Modified Developmental Defects of Enamel Index (Mod DDE Index), which subdivides enamel defects into the categories demarcated (Mod DDE score 1) and diffuse (Mod DDE score 2) opacities and hypoplasia (Mod DDE score 3). 158 children, between 8.5 and 10 years old, were assigned to three examination groups, defined by three different fluoride tablet programs. The children in all three examination groups, F1, F2, and F3, had received 0.25 mg F-/day up to the age of 2 years, F1 and F3 from birth on, F2 beginning with the 7th month of life. F1 and F2 received 0.5 mg F-/day during the 3rd and 0.75 mg F-/day during the 4th and 5th year of life. For F3, beginning with the 3rd year of life, no further recommendations were made. 158 sociodemographically matched children living in a neighboring town served as controls and did not take part in any structured fluoride supplementation program. The proportions of children with Mod DDE scores 1, 2, or 3 at least in one index tooth were significantly higher in the examination groups (40%) than in the control group (20%). Also, the proportions of children with Mod DDE score 2 at least in one index tooth were significantly higher in the examination groups (18%) than in the control group (8%). The proportions of children with Mod DDE score 1 at least in one index tooth were 25% in the examination groups and 17% in the control group. No Mod DDE score 3 was found. Not more than 5% of the children in each group had 50% of their teeth with Mod DDE score 1, 2, or 3. The proportions of teeth per child with Mod DDE score 2 were significantly higher in the examination group than in the control group. While uncontrolled variables cannot be excluded, the observed differences between the experimental and control groups may be attributed to the ingestion of fluoride tablets in the experimental group.