Contribution of fluoride in water and food to the prevalence of fluorosis in areas of Tamil Nadu in south India

Abstract

Fluoride contents of water and food, collected from the subjects of five selected areas of Tamil Nadu in South India, were determined. Surveys were conducted to ascertain dental fluorosis prevalences among children of the areas, and dental and skeletal fluorosis prevalences in the adult populations. Dean’s “Community Fluorosis Index” (CFI) for dental fluorosis was calculated, from the children’s survey, and was found to be correlated with the prevalence and severity of fluorosis in the areas. A direct correlation was also confirmed between the mean fluoride level in drinking water and the percentage incidence of dental fluorosis. The dominant role of fluoride from drinking water, when compared with that from food, was established.