Abstract

Severe dental fluorosis is endemic in some rural areas of Brazil. This paper describes the psychosocial consequences of this condition and how it has affected the self-esteem of adolescents and young people in a rural area in Brazil. Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were carried out with 23 adolescents and young people affected by severe dental fluorosis and 14 of their teachers. The study revealed the affected individuals were embarrassed to smile at strangers due to a presumed association between fluorosis and a lack of dental hygiene. Further findings include conflicts between affected and non-affected students at school, problems in pursuing a romantic relationship and uncertainties regarding a professional future. Disbelief and scepticism were observed regarding the ethical position that science can offer a solution to the problems stemming from the disease. Lesions from severe dental fluorosis appear to be a stigmatizing factor and have contributed toward suffering and self-exclusion among an entire generation of adolescents and young people.

• Related Studies :

  • Characteristics attributed to individuals with dental fluorosis

    BACKGROUND: Previous investigations of the public perception of dental fluorosis have focused mainly on aesthetics. Other characteristics which could potentially be ascribed to fluorosis, such as perceived personality traits, have not been examined. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify personal characteristics (descriptors) attributed to people with fluorosis of varying degrees

  • Perceptions of dental fluorosis

    Mild dental fluorosis has long been accepted as a side-effect of water fluoridation and, more recently, has been recognized as a consequence of the use of other fluoride-based caries-preventive strategies. Traditionally, dental health professionals have not seen this as being of public health importance, but members of the public have

  • A pilot study of dental students' esthetic perceptions of computer-generated mild dental fluorosis compared to other conditions

    OBJECTIVES: Few studies have considered people's opinions about the esthetics of dental fluorosis. Assessments of fluorosis esthetics can be confounded by differences in a number of clinical factors, including tooth shape, color, contour, and gingival status. This pilot study compared esthetic perceptions of mild fluorosis and other conditions using computer-generated

  • The influence of various fluoride exposures on the prevalence of esthetic problems resulting from dental fluorosis

    OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine the prevalence of esthetic problems due to dental fluorosis, and determine the relationship of different fluoride exposure histories to the occurrence of these problems. METHODS: In 1993-94 2,715 children in grades 2 and 3 and 3,297 adolescents in grades 8 and 9 were examined

  • Impact of dental fluorosis, socioeconomic status and self-perception in adolescents exposed to a high level of fluoride in water

    Objective: To identify adolescents' self-perception of dental fluorosis from two areas with different socioeconomic levels. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted with 15-year-old youths by applying a questionnaire designed and validated to assess self-perceptions of dental fluorosis in two areas with different socioeconomic statuses (SESs). Fluorosis was clinically evaluated by

• Related FAN Content :

  • Dental Fluorosis: The "Cosmetic" Factor

    Any condition that can cause children to be embarrassed about their physical appearance can have significant consequences on their self-esteem and confidence.  Researchers have repeatedly found that "physical appearance [is] the best predictor of self-esteem" in adolescents, (Harter 2000) and that facial attractiveness, particularly the appearance of one's teeth, is a

  • Moderate/Severe Dental Fluorosis

    In its "moderate" and severe forms, fluoride causes a marked increase in the porosity of the enamel. After eruption into mouth, the porous enamel of moderate to severe fluorosis readily takes up stain, creating permanent brown and black discolorations of the teeth. In addition to extensive staining, teeth with moderate to severe fluorosis are more prone to attrition and wear - leading to pitting, chipping, and decay.

  • Diagnostic Criteria for Dental Fluorosis: The Thylstrup-Fejerskov (TF) Index

    The traditional criteria (the "Dean Index") for diagnosing dental fluorosis was developed in the first half of the 20th century by H. Trendley Dean. While the Dean Index is still widely used in surveys of fluorosis -- including the CDC's national surveys of fluorosis in the United States -- dental

  • Community Fluorosis Index (CFI)

    The current Community Fluorosis Index for U.S. adolescents as a whole (from both fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas) is roughly 5 times higher than the CFI health authorities predicted for fluoridated areas when fluoridation first began. It is also higher than the CFI that the NIDR found in fluoridated areas back in the 1980s. It is readily apparent, therefore, that children are ingesting far more fluoride than was the case in the 1950s, and even as recently as the 1980s.

  • Diagnostic Criteria for Dental Fluorosis: The TSIF ("Total Surface Index of Fluorosis")

    The traditional criteria (the "Dean Index") for diagnosing dental fluorosis was developed in the first half of the 20th century by H. Trendley Dean. While the Dean Index is still widely used in surveys of fluorosis -- including the CDC's national surveys of fluorosis in the United States -- dental