Medicine and Medical Sciences

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with dental fluorosis among school children in Najran, Saudi Arabia. A multi-stage sample technique was used and 288 girl students from 3 different public primary schools were surveyed and examined for fluorosis. The principal method of data collection was a semi-structured questionnaire beside clinical examination that was guided by Dean's Index. The number of surveyed students with dental fluorosis among the total examined population was 172 (60%) and the most prevailing types were the mild and moderate forms of fluorosis that affect 129 students (44.79%). Statistically, no significant difference was identified among the reported age groups (P-value 0.071), while the fluorosis occurrence was significantly associated with hereditary factors as well as frequency of exposure to toothpastes (fluoride) with P-value 0.001 and 0.012 respectively. Fluorosis was significantly (P<0.05) influenced by family history of fluorosis, drinking water source and abstaining from using fluoride-toothpastes. Dental fluorosis prevails among school children in Najran city and associates with family history of fluorosis, consuming well water and abstaining from using fluoride-toothpastes.
 

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