Prevalence of dental fluorosis in the municipalities of Sobradinho and Tavares, Rio Grande do Sul, 2010

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis at 5 and 12 years of age in the cities of Sobradinho and Tavares (RS) in 2010. Methods: We conducted cross sectional study, using the recommendations of the World Health Organization, by two calibrated examiners to the Dean index (interexaminer Kappa of 0.68, 1.00 to 0.83 for examiner A and examiner B). The basis, we identified actual exposures to products containing fluoride: water type and amount of toothpaste. Results: We examined 115 children and 91 Sobradinho in Tavares. At 5 years of age, the degree of dental fluorosis was prevalent in the two municipalities questionable (58.3% in Sobradinho and 57.1% em Tavares). To age 12 in the two cities dominated the degree questionable and secondly the very mild degree (41.5% in Sobradinho and 66.1% in Tavares). However, to this degree Sobradinho the frequency was higher. Cases of moderate and severe fluorosis were observed in Tavares. Regarding the current sources of exposure to fluoride to the city of Sobradinho water supply prevailed in public supply and Tavares was the artesian well. In both cities there was poor concordance between the reported amount of toothpaste by children and parents / guardians. Conclusion: We observed high prevalence and low severity of dental fluorosis in two districts. As there were mostly moderate and severe dental fluorosis it is not considered a public health problem. However, similar studies should be conducted on a regular basis seeking to determine whether there are other associated risk factors.