Fluoride Action Network

Abstract

Objective: To further understand the effect of anti—fluoride water on intellectual development of children and dental fluorosis in drinking water-type of endemic fluorosis area Pucheng county Shaanxi province.

Methods: Two hundred 8 to 12 years old children were randomly selected in endemic fluorosis area with changed water or unchanged water, in 2009 in Pucheng county Shaanxi province. Intelligence quotient (IQ) of children was measured by Raven’s test. Children’s dental fluorosis was examined by Dean’s classification scheme?

Results: The rates of child dental fluorosis in changed water and unchanged water endemic fluorosis areas were 28. 50% (57/200), 87.88% (203/231), respectively, the difference was statistically significant (x2=159.19, P <0.01), while dental fluorosis indices were 0.57, 1.97, was marginal, moderate epidemic. Children with IQ above 90 was accounted for 89.5% (179/200), 91.5% (183/200) in changed water and unchanged water endemic fluorosis area respectively, the difference was not significant (x2=0.46, P >0.05).

Conclusions: Changed water may decrease the incidence of child dental fluorosis, but has no obvious effect on children’s IQ development in endemic fluorosis area.