Prevalence of Dental Caries and Dental Fluorosis in Association with the Level of Fluoride Content among the 6-12-year-old Children of Government Primary Schools of High and low Endemic Areas in Odisha.

INTRODUCTION

This study examines the correlation between dental caries and fluorosis among schoolchildren in fluoride-endemic regions of Odisha.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

An epidemiological study was conducted among 1800 schoolchildren (6-12 years) from three districts with varying fluoride exposure. Fluoride levels in drinking water were measured using the ion-selective electrode method. Data were analyzed using SPSS 17.0 (IBM, Chicago, United States of America) with statistical tests, including the Mann-Whitney U-test, Chi-square test, and Spearman's correlation.

RESULT: A significant negative correlation (-0.237, P = 0.001) was found between fluorosis and dental caries, indicating that lower fluorosis levels corresponded to higher caries prevalence.

CONCLUSION

Fluoride reduces caries but increases fluorosis, requiring effective monitoring and school-based oral health education.