Abstract
Background:
Although community water fluoridtion (CWF) results in a range of potential contaminant exposures, little attention has been given to many of the possible impacts. A central argument for CWF is its cost-effectiveness. The U.S. Government states that $1 spent on CWF saves $38 in dental treatment costs.
Objective:
To examine the reported cost-effectiveness of CWF.
Methods:
Methods and underlying data from the primary U.S. economic evaluation of CWF are analyzed and corrected calculations are described. Other recent economic evaluations are also examined.
Results:
Recent economic evaluations of CWF contain defective estimations of both costs and benefits. Incorrect handling of dental treatment costs and flawed estimates of effectiveness lead to overestimated benefits. The real-world costs to water treatment plants and communities are not reflected.
Conclusions:
Minimal correction reduced the savings to $3 per person per year (PPPY) for a best-case scenario, but this savings is eliminated by the estimated cost of treating dental fluorosis.
-
-
Fluoride Alters Klk4 Expression in Maturation Ameloblasts through Androgen and Progesterone Receptor Signaling.
Fluorosed maturation stage enamel is hypomineralized in part due to a delay in the removal of matrix proteins to inhibit final crystal growth. The delay in protein removal is likely related to reduced expression of kallikrein-related peptidase 4 (KLK4), resulting in a reduced matrix proteinase activity that found in fluorosed
-
Evaluation of dental fluorosis in relation to DMFT rates in a fluorotic rural area of Turkey
The purpose of this study was to determine the fluoride concentration of drinking water and any correlations between the severity, and discoloration level of dental fluorosis and decayed/missing/filled permanent teeth (DMFT) values in the rural fluorotic village of Deregümü, Isparta, Turkey. Intraoral examination of 293 individuals (150 women, 143 men)
-
Low-to-moderate fluoride exposure in relation to overweight and obesity among school-age children in China.
Highlights A large-scale study on school-age children's health in a Chinese fluorosis area. Low-to-moderate fluoride and children's anthropometric measurements were assessed. Fluoride exposure is related to increased BMI z-score and prevalence of overweight. The significant associations were differed by gender and mainly observed in girls. Associations were stronger among children
-
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
-
Enamel fluorosis related to plasma F levels in the rat.
The purpose of this long-term study was to investigate disturbances in enamel mineralization associated with low, but relatively constant, plasma fluoride levels produced by constant infusion or with fluctuating plasma fluoride levels caused by drinking fluoridated water. Weanling rats were raised for 8 weeks on low-fluoride food and water containing
Related Studies :
-
-
-
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.
-
"Mild" Dental Fluorosis: Perceptions & Psychological Impact
The vast majority of research has found that patients, parents, and the general public alike view mild fluorosis (TF score 3) as a significant blemish of the teeth, one that is likely to embarrass the affected child to a degree that cosmetic treatment would be warranted.
-
Severe Dental Fluorosis: Perception and Psychological Impact
[caption id="attachment_8879" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Severe fluorosis - Photograph by David Kennedy, DDS[/caption] In its severe forms, dental fluorosis causes highly disfiguring brown and black staining of the teeth, which can cause chronic embarrassment and social anxiety for the impacted child. In 1984, a panel from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) warned
-
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.
-
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
Related FAN Content :
-