Abstract
The presence or excess of very low concentrations of fluoride in the groundwater has been a major factor in the dental epidemiology of Sri Lanka. There is a clear boundary between the Wet Climatic Zone and the Dry Zone of the country. The high fluoride content in the groundwater (sometimes in excess of 5 mg/l) is generally found in the Dry Zone, particularly in the North Central Province. Dental fluorosis is prevalent in these Dry Zone areas whereas in the Wet Zone, the fluoride content of water is very low and results in dental caries. This particular environmental health problem is of special importance to Sri Lanka in that the vast majority of the population of the country depend on untreated groundwater for their domestic water supplies. The health of this population therefore is controlled to a marked degree by the chemistry of the groundwater.
The compilation of maps showing the distribution patterns of fluoride in groundwater is vital in the implementation of rural water supply schemes. The use of appropriate technology in the design of simple deflouridating techniques and active rural community participation are of particular importance in the management of groundwater supplies in “flouride?rich or poor” zones.
*Original abstract online at https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00207239108710658
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Determinants of self-rated oral health status among school children in northern Tanzania
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the perceived oral health status and to explore its relationship with clinically assessed dental fluorosis among school children in Arusha town, Tanzania. METHODS: A total of 478 students (mean age 15.7 years) completed questionnaires administered in the schools during May to July 2000. Clinical
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Dental fluorosis: chemistry and biology.
This review aims at discussing the pathogenesis of enamel fluorosis in relation to a putative linkage among ameloblastic activities, secreted enamel matrix proteins and multiple proteases, growing enamel crystals, and fluid composition, including calcium and fluoride ions. Fluoride is the most important caries-preventive agent in dentistry. In the last two
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Endemic Fluorosis. (An Epidemiológical, Biochemical and Clinical Study in the Bhatinda District of Punjab).
Earlier observations and a review on endemic fluorosis in the Bhatinda District of Punjab were published in 1961 [this Bulletin, 1962, v. 37, 243] and the object of the present paper "is to summarize our epidemiological work done over three years and to emphasize the importance of this work from
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A comparative study of fluoride ingestion levels, serum thyroid hormone & TSH level derangements, dental fluorosis status among school children from endemic and non-endemic fluorosis areas.
Abstract The study was undertaken to determine serum/urinary fluoride status and comparison of free T4, free T3 and thyroid stimulating hormone levels of 8 to 15 years old children with and without dental fluorosis living in an endemic and non-endemic fluorosis area. A sample group of 60 male and female school children,
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Effect of fluoride ions on apatite crystal formation in rat hard tissues.
Fluoride is widely believed to be a useful chemical substance for preventing dental caries. However, the mechanism underlying crystal perforation in the tooth enamel and the effect of fluoride on hard tissues are unclear. To clarify the mechanism of the biological action of fluoride in the mineralization process, we examined
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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
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