[Dental caries and the morbidity and mortality index in populations with endemic fluorosis].

Clinical and statistical research, conducted in collaboration with other workers in some instances, into the behaviour of dental decay and the morbidity and mortality indices in populations with dental fluorosis due to the ingestion of naturally fluorinated water in Calabria and Sicily showed that the fears expressed with respect to the toxic effect of fluorine on the organism can be considered excessive. It can also be asserted that fluorine is at present the only means available of ensuring a real reduction caries following its ingestion via various routes.