EFFECTS OF LIFELONG CONSUMPTION OF FLUORIDATED WATER OR USE OF FLUORIDE SUPPLEMENTS ON DENTAL-CARIES PREVALENCE

This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of dental caries in children ages 6-14, from fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas in British Columbia, Canada, and the effects of receiving certain fluorid e preventive procedures during childhood. Children from two communitie s were surveyed using a modified Decayed. Missing and Filled Tooth Sur face Index (D(1)D(2)MFS). Questionnaires on the use of various fluorid e preventive practices and residence histories during childhood were c ollected. Completed questionnaires were returned and exams were perfor med on 1131 children. Crude caries prevalence scores for the different fluoride exposure groups were tested for differences in dental age an d the level of educational attainment of parents and/or guardians. No significant group differences were found. The 110 children with lifelo ng exposure only to fluoridated water had 35%, or 0.88 (S.D.=2.91), fe wer decayed or filled tooth surfaces per child (P(0.07) than children with no reported exposure to systemic fluorides. For the 122 children who had taken fluoride supplements for 4 yr or more, 0.67 fewer decaye d and filled tooth surfaces (26% reduction) were observed per child wh en compared to children with no exposure to fluoridated water or suppl ements. For children who used fluoride supplements for less than 4 yr, no significant benefits were observed. Approximately 75% of the carie s prevalence for control and fluoride-exposed groups was on pit and fi ssured surfaces. Reductions by surface type showed savings on both smo oth and pit and fissured surfaces.