Dental Fluorosis, Drinking Water and Participant Perspectives: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Students of a National School in Anuradhapura

Abstract

Dental fluorosis is caused by excessive fluoride intake mainly via drinking water during the development stage of teeth. Anuradhapura is a region where fluoride levels in drinking water is high. Thambuttegama divisional secretariat of Anuradhapura is considered to be one of the hotspots for high fluoride concentration. The latest available study at Anuradhapura (2004) revealed a prevalence of 90% for very mild to severe form of dental fluorosis. This study aims at finding knowledge, attitude and prevalence of dental fluorosis among students of a National School in Thambuttegama. A descriptive cross sectional study was performed using a self-administered questionnaire at National Schools of Thambuttegama. Dean’s index was used to rate severity of dental fluorosis. Participation rate was good (83% - 248/300). Most were females (53%), 12 years old (44%) and from Thalawa division (54%). Mean age of participants was 12.8 ± 0.76 years. Majority of the participants didn’t know about dental fluorosis (64%). Parents were the commonest source of knowledge on dental fluorosis (32%). Most of the participants (73%) were satisfied with the appearance of their teeth. 09% of participants have never visited a dentist. According to the Dean’s index 37.5% belonged to very mild to severe form of dental fluorosis. Well water was used by most (44%). Among the well water users, 41% (45/109) had very mild to severe form of dental fluorosis in comparison to 35% (48/139) in other water users. There was no significant difference (X2 = 1.1884; P = 0.28) between the two groups. Prevalence of very mild to severe form of dental fluorosis is still high among the school children of Thambuttegama. However their knowledge on dental fluorosis seems to be poor.