Abstract

The present study analyzes the dose-response relationship that exists between the concentration of fluoride in drinking water and the clinical symptoms of fluoride poisoning. A positive correlation is observed between the fluoride content of water and the rate of dental fluorosis, skeletal x-ray change frequency, skeletal x-ray change index, and the urine fluoride concentration. The skeletal x-ray index of change, which combines information about both the frequency and degree of skeletal x-ray change, reflects an objective law and is shown to have major practical value. This study also investigates the categorization of endemic areas according to severity. There is no clear correlation evidenced between fluoride poisoning and frequency of joint degeneration occurrence, but it may worsen its progress. Periosteal ossification is not an early manifestation of fluoride poisoning.

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