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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Journal of Health and Allied Sciences NU 2013; 03(03): 018-021
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1703670
Original Article

DENTAL CARIES AND FLUORIDE LEVELS IN WATER AND MILK IN 13-15 YEAR OLD ADOLESCENT POPULATION IN DAKSHINA KANNADA DISTRICT, INDIA

Mithra N. Hegde
1   Senior Professor & HOD, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, A. B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Deralakatte, Nitte University, Mangalore - 575 018
,
Ashwitha Punja
2   Professor, A. B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Deralakatte, Nitte University, Mangalore - 575 018
,
Ganesh Bhat
3   Reader, A. B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Deralakatte, Nitte University, Mangalore - 575 018
,
Uday S. Mahale
4   Post Graduate Student, A. B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Deralakatte, Nitte University, Mangalore - 575 018
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Abstract

Introduction

Dental caries is an infectious microbiological disease affecting all age groups. Fluoride slows down the progression of an existing carious lesion thus reducing the incidence of dental caries. World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends 0.5 to 1 ppm fluoride content in community water supply and milk fluoridation in case of non-feasibility of community water fluoridation. The aim of present study was to determine fluoride levels in water and milk in Dakshina Kannada District and to co-relate them with the DMFT scores in13-15 year old adolescent population.

Methodology

Water samples were collected from six different regions and sources from Dakshina Kannada District. Water samples were tested for fluoride content by ion specific electrode. A school dental survey was conducted to determine different brands of milk consumed by the children and their DMFT index. Milk samples were tested for fluoride levels by Ion Specific electrode using TSAB-II solution. DMFT scores were correlated with fluoride level of milk consumed by population. Interobesrver reliability by kappa statistics and association test with one way ANOVA was done.

Results

The range of fluoride levels in waters samples was 0.01 to 0.17 ppm and that of milk samples was 0.176 to 1.38 ppm. There was no much difference in fluoride levels of different milk sources. Hence association between DMFT and milk fluoride levels was not statistically significant (p=0.2).

Conclusion

Negligible amounts of Fluoride levels were found in water and milk. There is scope to conduct milk or water fluoridation programme in South Kannada District as a caries prevention method.

Keywords

Fluoride - DMFT - Survey - Adolescent


Publication History

Article published online:
26 April 2020

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